cutleaf groundcherry

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• cut-leaved ground-cherry
• Lanceleaf Groundcherry
• Angular Winter-cherry
• balloon-cherry
• cut-leaf ground-cherry
• gooseberry
• hogweed

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Physalis capsicifolia
• Physalis bodinieri
• Physalis ramosissima
• Physalis repens
• Physalis pendula
• Physalis hermanni
• Physalis cuneata
• Physalis dubia
• Physalis esquirolii
• Physalis margaranthoides
• Physalis fauriei
• Physalis surinamensis
• Physalis glaberrima
• Physalis minima
• Physalis micrantha
• Physalis angulata var. linkiana
• Physalis angulata var. lanceifolia
• Physalis angulata var. dubia
• Physalis angulata f. tenuis
• Physalis angulata f. linkiana
• Physalis angulata var. pendula
• Physalis linkiana var. venosa
• Physalis linkiana var. arenaria
• Physalis angulata var. villosa
• Boberella angulata
• Physalis angulata var. capsicifolia
• Physalis angulata f. ramosissima
• Physalis angulata var. ramosissima
• Physalis linkiana

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Solanales and the family Solanaceae, it is classified under the genus Physalis.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific distribution across several regions of the European continent. In Northern Europe, its presence can be documented within Great Britain. Moving into Middle Europe, it is found in Belgium as well as throughout Germany. The species also inhabits the territories of Czechia and Slovakia. Finally, its range extends into Southwestern Europe, specifically within France.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Physalis angulata is characterized by its significant adaptability to various altitudes and human-altered environments. It exhibits a broad elevational range, spanning from sea level (0 m AMSL) up to a maximum altitude of 3400 m AMSL, with a calculated mean elevation of approximately 1383.33 m AMSL. This wide vertical distribution suggests a high degree of environmental plasticity, allowing the species to colonize diverse thermal and atmospheric conditions. Furthermore, the species is frequently found in anthropogenic habitats (Área Antrópica), indicating its success as a ruderal or opportunistic species that thrives in areas modified by human activity, such as disturbed soils, agricultural lands, or urban fringes.

Elevational range max:

3400 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

1383.33333333333 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Área Antrópica

Genetics

The genetics of Physalis angulata are characterized by a notable degree of chromosomal variation and polyploid complexity. The species exhibits multiple chromosome numbers, specifically documented at 24, 48, and 50, which suggests a dynamic evolutionary history involving genome doubling and structural rearrangements. While the typical ploidy level is identified as 2, indicating a diploid state for many studied populations, the presence of higher chromosome counts points toward potential polyploid lineages within the species. This chromosomal plasticity plays a significant role in the genetic diversity and adaptability of the plant across different ecological niches.

Chromosome number :

24,48,50

Ploidy :

2

Life history

The life history of Physalis angulata is characterized by an annual lifecycle, meaning the plant completes its entire developmental process from germination to seed production within a single growing season. Functioning as a therophyte, it survives the unfavorable periods of its environment primarily through the persistence of seeds rather than through specialized underground organs or woody structures. As a therophyte, it completes its vegetative growth and reproductive phases rapidly, typically emerging from the soil as a small seedling and reaching maturity to produce its distinctive fruit before the onset of seasonal changes that lead to the death of the parent plant.

Life form :

therophyte

Lifecycle :

annual

Morphology

The morphology of Physalis angulata is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb, specifically classified as a forb. This terrestrial plant is independent and does not exhibit parasitic or epiphytic behavior, maintaining a self-supporting structure rather than acting as a liana or vine. In terms of stature, the plant exhibits significant variability in height, with individual specimens ranging from a minimum of 0 m to a maximum of 3 m, though it maintains an average plant height of approximately 0.525 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

3 m

Plant height mean:

0.525 m

Plant height min:

0 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Physalis angulata is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and metabolic efficiency. The plant's foliage exhibits significant morphological variability, with leaf lengths ranging from a minimum of 2 cm to a mean of 3.5 cm, reaching a maximum of 6 cm. Correspondingly, the leaf width fluctuates between a minimum of 0.5 cm and a maximum of 4 cm. In terms of water storage and tissue structure, the plant does not exhibit succulence, maintaining standard mesophytic leaf characteristics rather than specialized water-storing tissues. Furthermore, Physalis angulata does not function as a nitrogen fixer, relying instead on available soil nitrates and ammonium for its nitrogen requirements rather than symbiotic atmospheric nitrogen fixation.

Leaf length max:

6 cm

Leaf length mean:

3.5 cm

Leaf length min:

2 cm

Leaf width max:

4 cm

Leaf width min:

0.5 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Succulence :

no

Reproduction

The reproductive cycle of Physalis angulata begins with its flowering stage, which typically starts in May and concludes within the same month, though timing can be variable. The plant produces yellow flowers that are characterized by a biotic pollination syndrome, specifically relying on insects for pollination. Notably, self-fertilization is absent in this species, emphasizing the necessity of insect vectors for successful reproduction. The inflorescence can reach a significant maximum length of 5 meters. Following pollination, the plant develops a berry-type fruit that is indehiscent. These berries exhibit varying dimensions, with a mean fruit length of 0.9 cm (ranging from 0.6 cm to a maximum of 1.2 cm) and a mean width of 2.25 cm (ranging from a minimum of 1.2 cm to a maximum of 1.2 cm). The dispersal of the species is primarily anemochorous. Within these fruits, the seeds are quite small, with a maximum seed length of 1 mm. The seed mass is also minimal, averaging 0.0006925 g, with values ranging from a minimum of 0.00048 g to a maximum of 0.00084 g.

Dehiscence :

indehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

anemochorous

Flower colour :

yellow

Flowering time :

May

Fruit length max:

1.2 cm

Fruit length mean:

0.9 cm

Fruit length min:

0.6 cm

Fruit type :

berry

Fruit width max:

1.2 cm

Fruit width mean:

2.25 cm

Inflorescence length max:

5 m

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Seed length max:

1 mm

Seed mass max:

0.00084 g

Seed mass mean:

0.0006925 g

Seed mass min:

0.00048 g

Self fertilization :

absent

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Physalis angulata has 5 reported plant parts identified across 11 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf, fruit, flower, root, stem.

Leaf

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology
2. Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences
3. Chinese journal of natural medicines
4. Plant signaling & behavior

Fruit

1. Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences
2. Journal of agricultural and food chemistry
3. Plant signaling & behavior

Flower

1. Phytotherapy research : PTR
2. Plant signaling & behavior

Root

1. Journal, genetic engineering & biotechnology

Stem

1. Plant signaling & behavior

Chemicals

Physalis angulata has 19 reported phytochemicals identified across 11 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Withanolides, Physalin F, Ash, CALCIUM, COMPOUND 6.

Withanolides

1. Food chemistry
2. Phytochemistry
3. Journal of Asian natural products research
4. Journal of ethnopharmacology
5. The Journal of pharmacy and pharmacology

Physalin F

1. Phytotherapy research : PTR
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Ash

1. Dr. Duke

CALCIUM

1. Dr. Duke

COMPOUND 6

1. Chemistry & biodiversity

Compound 1

1. Phytochemistry

Compound 2

1. Chemistry & biodiversity

Compound 3

1. Chemistry & biodiversity

Compound 5

1. Chemistry & biodiversity

FAT

1. Dr. Duke

Activities

Physalis angulata has 45 reported activities identified across 11 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antimalarial, Diuretic, Laxative, Angiotensin-Receptor-Blocker, AntiPMS.

Antimalarial

1. Expert opinion on therapeutic patents
2. Heliyon

Diuretic

1. Dr. Duke
2. Indian journal of pharmaceutical sciences

Laxative

1. Dr. Duke
2. Indian journal of pharmaceutical sciences

Angiotensin-Receptor-Blocker

1. Dr. Duke

AntiPMS

1. Dr. Duke

Antiallergic

1. Dr. Duke

Antianxiety

1. Dr. Duke

Antiarrhythmic

1. Dr. Duke

Antiarthritic

1. Dr. Duke

Antiatherosclerotic

1. Dr. Duke

Medicinal Uses

Physalis angulata has 16 reported medicinal uses identified across 11 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include malaria, asthma, hepatitis, rheumatism, Bacillus subtilis.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations