The word tomato can refer to both the plant (Solanum lycopersicum) and its edible, usually red, fruit. The tomato originated in South America and, after Spanish colonization, spread throughout the world, where its many varieties are cultivated today, often in greenhouses located in cooler climates. The tomato belongs to the nightshade family (Solanaceae). The plant typically reaches between one and three meters in height and has a weak stem that often spreads over the ground and other plants. It is a perennial in its natural habitat, although it is often grown as an annual outdoors in temperate climates.