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Physalis alkekengi
  • Winter Cherry

a perennial member of the Physalis genus in the family Solanaceae.

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Niche
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    The ecosystem niches for this plant are unknown. Do you know them? Click the edit button to add them!
Functions
  • None
    None
    There are no functions defined for this plant. Do you know of some? Click the edit button to add them!
Light
  • Full sun
    Full sun
    The amount of sun exposure that a plant prefers in ideal conditions.
    Key
  • light shade
    Light shade
    The amount of shade a plant will tolerate without adverse health affects.
    Key
Water
  • Water Requirementsmoderate
    Moderate
    The amount of water a plant needs for healthy growth, relative to other plants.
    Key
Soil
  • acid,neutral,alkaline
    Acid to Alkaline
    The PH range (acidity or alkilinity) of the growth medium ideal for healthy nutrient absorbtion.
    Key
  • Sandy to Clay
    The soil texture this plant prefers for optimal growth.
    Key
Cold & Heat
  • 6
    Zone 6
    The USDA Hardiness scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the minimum temperature a plant can survive.
    Key
    0< -53.9ºC< -65ºF
    1-51.1ºC-60ºF
    2-45.6ºC-50F
    3-40ºC-40ºF
    4-34.4ºC-30ºF
    5-28.9ºC-20ºF
    6-23.3ºC-10ºF
    7-17.8ºC0ºF
    8-12.2C10ºF
    9-6.7ºC20ºF
    10-1.1ºC30ºF
    114.4ºC40ºF
    12> 10ºC> 5ºF
  • ?
    Unknown
    The AHS Heat scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the number of days per year a plant requires a temperature exceeding 30ºC (86ºF).
    Key
    11
    21 - 7
    38 - 14
    415 - 30
    531 - 45
    646 - 60
    761 - 90
    891 - 120
    9121 - 150
    10151 - 180
    11181 - 210
    12181 - 210
Physalis alkekengi has 0 edible uses listed
Physalis alkekengi has 0 medicinal uses listed

Uses

Toxic parts

All parts of the plant, except the ripe fruit, are poisonous[1][2][3].

Edible uses

Notes

Fruit - raw or cooked[4][5][6]. Rich in vitamins[7], with twice the vitamin C of lemons[8], but not much taste[9]. Another report says that they are juicy but with a bitter acrid flavour[10], whilst another says that they add a delicious flavour to salads[11]. We have found them to be bitter and rather unpleasant[K]. The fruit is a berry about 17mm in diameter[12]. 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[13][2]. Young leaves - cooked[6][14][8]. Caution is advised, the leaves are almost certainly poisonous, at least when raw.

Fruit

Unknown use

Leaves

Unknown use

Material uses

There are no material uses listed for Physalis alkekengi.

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

The plant has a long history of herbal use, and an interesting chemistry, but it is seldom used in modern practice[3]. The whole plant is antiphlogistic, antipyretic, antitussive and expectorant[15][16][17][9][18]. It has been used in the treatment of urinary and skin diseases[19]. Some caution is recommended since an overdose of the plant is said to easily precipitate an abortion[18].

The fruit is aperient, strongly diuretic and lithontripic[10][11][15][18]. It is used internally in the treatment of gravel, suppression of urine etc and is highly recommended in fevers and in gout[10][3]. The fruit is harvested when fully ripe and can be used fresh, juiced or dried[3]. The calyx should be removed[3]. The leaves and stems are febrifuge and slightly tonic[10]. They are used in the treatment of the malaise that follows malaria, and for weak or anaemic people[10]. The fresh leaves have been used externally to make soothing poultices in the treatment of skin inflammations[3][20]. The seed is used to promote early labour[18].

A homeopathic remedy is made from the fruit. It is used in the treatment of kidney and bladder disorders[15].

Unknown part

Antiphlogistic
Antitussive
Aperient
Diuretic
Expectorant
Febrifuge
Homeopathy
Lithontripic

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Ecological Functions

Nothing listed.

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

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 in early summer. Diurnal temperature fluctuations assist germination[14].

Division in spring[21]. Very easy, larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found that it is better to pot up the smaller divisions and grow them on in light shade in a cold frame until they are well established before planting them out in late spring or early summer.

Basal cuttings in early summer[21]. Harvest the shoots with plenty of underground stem when they are about 8 - 10cm above the ground. Pot them up into individual pots and keep them in light shade in a cold frame or greenhouse until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the summer.

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Physalis alkekengi. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.



Cultivation

Succeeds in any well-drained soil in full sun or light shade[21][12].

The fully dormant plant is hardy in most of Britain, though the young growth in spring can be damaged by late frosts. A very ornamental plant[4] though it can be invasive[12]. The sub-species P. alkekengi francheti. Mak. (sometimes treated as a separate species) is a more vigorous form of the species with larger fruits[12].

Slugs are very fond of the new growth in spring and can destroy even quite large clumps[K].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Physalis alkekengi. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.

Polycultures & Guilds

There are no polycultures listed which include Physalis alkekengi.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Physalis alkekengi
Genus
Physalis
Family
Solanaceae
Imported References
Edible uses
[4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][2][14]
Medicinal uses
[3][15][16][17][9][18][19][10][11][20]
Material uses & Functions
Botanic
[12]
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Functions
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
6
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
full sun
Shade
light shade
Soil PH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Soil Texture
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil Water Retention
well drained
Environmental Tolerances
    Ecosystems
    Native Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Adapted Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Native Geographical Range
    None listed.
    Native Environment
    None listed.
    Ecosystem Niche
    None listed.
    Root Zone Tendancy
    None listed.
    Life
    Deciduous or Evergreen
    ?
    Herbaceous or Woody
    ?
    Life Cycle
    perennial
    Growth Rate
    ?
    Mature Size
    0.3 x 0.6 meters
    Fertility
    ?
    Pollinators
    Bees
    Flower Colour
    ?
    Flower Type
    hermaphrodite

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    "image:PhysalisAlkekengi-balloon.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:PhysalisAlkekengi-balloon.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.


    "image:PhysalisAlkekengi-balloon.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:PhysalisAlkekengi-balloon.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

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    References

    1. ? Stary. F. Poisonous Plants. Hamlyn ISBN 0-600-35666-3 (1983-00-00)
    2. ? 2.02.12.2 Frohne. D. and Pf?nder. J. A Colour Atlas of Poisonous Plants. Wolfe ISBN 0723408394 (1984-00-00)
    3. ? 3.03.13.23.33.43.53.6 Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. ISBN 0-7513-020-31 (1995-00-00)
    4. ? 4.04.14.2 F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (1951-00-00)
    5. ? 5.05.1 Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications ISBN 0-486-20459-6 (1972-00-00)
    6. ? 6.06.16.2 Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing (1976-00-00)
    7. ? 7.07.1 Polunin. O. Flowers of Europe - A Field Guide. Oxford University Press ISBN 0192176218 (1969-00-00)
    8. ? 8.08.18.2 Reid. B. E. Famine Foods of the Chiu-Huang Pen-ts'ao. Taipei. Southern Materials Centre (1977-00-00)
    9. ? 9.09.19.29.3 Stuart. Rev. G. A. Chinese Materia Medica. Taipei. Southern Materials Centre ()
    10. ? 10.010.110.210.310.410.510.6 Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin ISBN 0-14-046-440-9 (1984-00-00)
    11. ? 11.011.111.211.3 Chiej. R. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald ISBN 0-356-10541-5 (1984-00-00)
    12. ? 12.012.112.212.312.412.5 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
    13. ? 13.013.1 Harrison. S. Wallis. M. Masefield. G. The Oxford Book of Food Plants. Oxford University Press (1975-00-00)
    14. ? 14.014.114.2 Dremann. C. G. Ground Cherries, Husk Tomatoes and Tomatilloes. Redwood City Seed Co ISBN 0-933421-03-6 (1985-00-00)
    15. ? 15.015.115.215.3 Launert. E. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn ISBN 0-600-37216-2 (1981-00-00)
    16. ? 16.016.1 Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable ISBN 0094579202 (1974-00-00)
    17. ? 17.017.1 ? A Barefoot Doctors Manual. Running Press ISBN 0-914294-92-X ()
    18. ? 18.018.118.218.318.4 Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. ISBN 0-917256-20-4 (1985-00-00)
    19. ? 19.019.1 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)
    20. ? 20.020.1 Phillips. R. & Foy. N. Herbs Pan Books Ltd. London. ISBN 0-330-30725-8 (1990-00-00)
    21. ? 21.021.121.2 Sanders. T. W. Popular Hardy Perennials. Collingridge (1926-00-00)

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    Retrieved from "https://practicalplants.org/w/index.php?title=Physalis_alkekengi&oldid=79302"
    Facts about "Physalis alkekengi"RDF feed
    Article is incompleteYes +
    Article requires citationsNo +
    Article requires cleanupYes +
    Belongs to familySolanaceae +
    Belongs to genusPhysalis +
    Has binomial namePhysalis alkekengi +
    Has common nameWinter Cherry +
    Has drought toleranceIntolerant +
    Has edible partFruit + and Leaves +
    Has edible useUnknown use +
    Has fertility typeBees +
    Has flowers of typeHermaphrodite +
    Has hardiness zone6 +
    Has imagePhysalisAlkekengi-balloon.jpg +
    Has lifecycle typePerennial +
    Has mature height0.3 +
    Has mature width0.6 +
    Has medicinal partUnknown part +
    Has medicinal useAntiphlogistic +, Antitussive +, Aperient +, Diuretic +, Expectorant +, Febrifuge +, Homeopathy + and Lithontripic +
    Has primary imagePhysalisAlkekengi-balloon.jpg +
    Has search namephysalis alkekengi + and winter cherry +
    Has shade toleranceLight shade +
    Has soil ph preferenceAcid +, Neutral + and Alkaline +
    Has soil texture preferenceSandy +, Loamy + and Clay +
    Has soil water retention preferenceWell drained +
    Has sun preferenceFull sun +
    Has taxonomic rankSpecies +
    Has taxonomy namePhysalis alkekengi +
    Has water requirementsmoderate +
    Is taxonomy typeSpecies +
    PFAF cultivation notes migratedNo +
    PFAF edible use notes migratedNo +
    PFAF material use notes migratedYes +
    PFAF medicinal use notes migratedNo +
    PFAF propagation notes migratedNo +
    PFAF toxicity notes migratedNo +
    Tolerates nutritionally poor soilNo +
    Uses mature size measurement unitMeters +
    Has subobjectThis property is a special property in this wiki.Physalis alkekengi +, Physalis alkekengi +, Physalis alkekengi +, Physalis alkekengi +, Physalis alkekengi +, Physalis alkekengi +, Physalis alkekengi +, Physalis alkekengi +, Physalis alkekengi + and Physalis alkekengi +