Spikes in my beef steak tomatoes

Question

What are the cream colored fish bone spikes in my beef steak tomatoes? They seem to come from where the fruit is hanging on the stem. They are slim and more of a cream color and very sharp. They vary in length about 1/2 to one inch.

Answer 1

This is a quirk of that variety and some other heirloom varieties. These fibrous structures can develop more strongly when the weather is difficult, such as excessively hot or dry weather.