The fruit often mistaken for a vegetable is the tomato. Botanically, tomatoes are classified as fruits because they develop from the flowering part of the plant and contain seeds. However, in culinary terms, they are commonly treated as vegetables due to their savory flavor and use in salads, sauces, and other dishes. This confusion was highlighted in a famous U.S. Supreme Court case in 1893, where the court ruled tomatoes should be taxed as vegetables rather than fruits. This legal decision showcased the intersection of agriculture, commerce, and culinary practice, solidifying the tomato's unique status in both botany and cuisine.