Husk tomatoes are also known as tomatillos and are part of the nightshade plant family. Some of the other names which these go by include jamberry, ground cherry, husk cherry, and Mexican tomato. Generally though Mexican tomatoes bear significantly smaller fruit than all of the other above-mentioned varieties of tomatoes. Tomatillos are considered to be annuals and they are generally grown in the Western Hemisphere of the world. They usually require a second plant in order to fully enhance the pollination process which will ultimately lead to a full fruit set.

Many people confuse tomatillos with green tomatoes because they are sometimes referred to by this name, though it is important to note that there is a real difference between tomatillos and traditional green unripe tomatoes.