Physalis angulata
Cutleaf Ground Cherry
an annual member of the Physalis genus in the family Solanaceae.
Taxonomy and growth
- Family
- Solanaceae
- Genus
- Physalis
- Life cycle
- annual
- Height
- 0.75 m
- Fertility
- Insects
- Flower type
- hermaphrodite
- Pollinators
- Insects
Uses
Toxicity
Toxicity warning. The historical record reports a hazard for this plant. Do not use it to decide which parts are safe to eat or use medicinally.
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Although no specific mention has been seen for this species, it belongs to a genus where many of the members have poisonous leaves and stems, though the full ripe fruits are usually edible[6][12].
Edible uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Edible fruit - raw or cooked[1][3][4]. Juicy and sub-acid[5]. The fruit is up to 30mm in diameter[8]. The plant conveniently wraps up each fruit in its own 'paper bag' (botanically, the calyx) to protect it from pests and the elements. This calyx is toxic and should not be eaten. Young leaves - cooked as a potherb[1][3][5]. Some caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity.
- Plant part
- Fruit
- Plant part
- Leaves
Medicinal uses
Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
The plant is diuretic, expectorant, febrifuge[4][9]. The leaves have been used to treat stomach disorders[9].
- Product or use
- Diuretic
- Product or use
- Expectorant
- Product or use
- Febrifuge
Environment
- Range
- Southern N. America - Pennsylvania to Illinois, Minnesota, Missouri and Texas.
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- light shade
- Water
- moderate
- Soil textures
- sandy, loamy, clay
- Soil pH
- acid, neutral, alkaline
- Drainage
- well drained
- Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
- No
- Drought
- intolerant
Propagation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Seed - sow March/April in a greenhouse only just covering the seed. Germination usually takes place quickly and freely. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots of fairly rich soil when they are large enough to handle and plant them out after the last expected frosts. Consider giving them some protection such as a cloche until they are growing away well. Diurnal temperature fluctuations assist germination[2].
Cultivation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Succeeds in any well-drained soil in full sun or light shade[7]. This species is cultivated for its edible fruit in Europe[11].
References
Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing 1976-00-00
Dremann. C. G. Ground Cherries, Husk Tomatoes and Tomatilloes. Redwood City Seed Co 1985-00-00 ISBN 0-933421-03-6
Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984-00-00 ISBN 3874292169
Stuart. Rev. G. A. Chinese Materia Medica. Taipei. Southern Materials Centre
Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9
Stary. F. Poisonous Plants. Hamlyn 1983-00-00 ISBN 0-600-35666-3
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Britton. N. L. Brown. A. An Illustrated Flora of the Northern United States and Canada Dover Publications. New York. 1970-00-00 ISBN 0-486-22642-5
Chopra. R. N., Nayar. S. L. and Chopra. I. C. Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants (Including the Supplement). Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi. 1986-00-00
Fernald. M. L. Gray's Manual of Botany. American Book Co. 1950-00-00
? Flora Europaea Cambridge University Press 1964-00-00
Frohne. D. and Pf�nder. J. A Colour Atlas of Poisonous Plants. Wolfe 1984-00-00 ISBN 0723408394