Plum tomato. A ripe tomato (Lycopersicon lycopersicum) of the plum variety. Although native to Pacific South America tomatoes are now grown worldwide for culinary use. Numerous tall and dwarf varieties have been developed from the wild tomato. The fruits can range from yellow to red, be large or small, and various shapes such as plum. Tomatoes were originally called inslove applesins and eaten as an aphrodisiac. They are a good dietary source of vitamin C and fibre.