Unusual fruits

Atypical fruits are tomatoes that differ in appearance from the classic red, round varieties. They may be heavily ribbed, flattened, elongated, heart-shaped, multi-chambered, striped, or nearly black. In many heirloom varieties, this is a completely natural genetic trait, not a symptom of disease. However, some deformities may result from adverse weather conditions, pollination problems, or other stresses occurring early in the fruit’s development. Before taking any action, it is advisable to compare the fruit’s appearance with the variety description and check whether a similar change has suddenly appeared on many fruits.