Potato leaf facts for kids
Have you ever looked closely at a tomato plant's leaves? You might notice that some have smooth edges, while others have jagged ones. This difference helps us tell apart two main types of tomato plants: those with "potato leaves" and those with "regular leaves."
Potato leaf (PL) is a special kind of leaf shape found on some tomato plants. Unlike the more common "regular leaf" (RL) which has a saw-like, jagged edge, potato leaves are smooth. They often look oval-shaped and can have gentle curves or notches, but they never have sharp, pointy edges. These leaves are usually a dark green color.
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What Makes Potato Leaves Different?
The main difference between potato leaves and regular leaves is their edge. Imagine a potato chip – it's mostly smooth, right? That's similar to a potato leaf. A regular tomato leaf, on the other hand, looks more like a fern or a jagged saw blade. This simple difference makes it easy to spot a potato leaf tomato plant.
How Do Potato Leaves Look?
Potato leaves are typically wider and flatter than regular tomato leaves. They have a more rounded or oval shape. Sometimes, they might have a few large, rounded sections or "lobes" that are separated by gentle dips, but the overall edge remains smooth, not serrated. Their deep green color also helps them stand out in a garden.
Famous Potato Leaf Tomatoes
Many popular and delicious tomato varieties have potato leaves. Some of the most well-known include:
- Brandywine: A very famous heirloom tomato known for its large, flavorful fruit.
- Prudens Purple: Another heirloom variety, often praised for its rich taste.
- Brandy Boy: A hybrid tomato that combines the best traits of different varieties.
- Lillian's Yellow Heirloom: A beautiful yellow tomato with a sweet flavor.
- Stupice: An early-ripening tomato, great for cooler climates.
- Japanese Black Trifele: A unique, pear-shaped tomato with a dark color.
These are just a few examples, but there are many more potato leaf tomato plants grown by gardeners around the world!
The Genetics of Potato Leaves
The potato leaf trait is what scientists call "recessive." This means that for a tomato plant to have potato leaves, it needs to inherit two copies of the "potato leaf gene" – one from each parent plant. If it inherits even one "regular leaf gene," it will have regular leaves, because the regular leaf gene is "dominant." It's a bit like eye color in humans, where some traits are more likely to show up than others.
