Physalis angulata
Cutleaf groundcherry
Physalis angulata, commonly known as cutleaf groundcherry, is a versatile medicinal plant found in tropical regions. Renowned for its potent bioactive compounds, it is traditionally used to treat inflammation, infections, and skin ailments. Modern research continues to explore its significant pharmacological potential in managing various complex human diseases.
- Scientific name: Physalis angulata
- Family: Solanaceae
- Native range: Europe
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.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Solanales | WCVP |
| Family | Solanaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Physalis | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Physalis angulata, is referred to by several common names across different linguistic regions. In Simplified Chinese (zh-hans), Traditional Chinese (zh-hant), Chinese as used in Hong Kong (zh-hk), Chinese as used in Mainland China (zh-cn), and Chinese as used in Singapore (zh-sg), it is commonly called 苦蘵.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| zh-hans | 苦蘵 | Wikidata |
| zh-hant | 苦蘵 | Wikidata |
| zh-hk | 苦蘵 | Wikidata |
| zh-cn | 苦蘵 | Wikidata |
| zh-sg | 苦蘵 | Wikidata |
| zh-tw | 燈籠草 | Wikidata |
| ht | Kòkmòl | Wikidata |
| jv | Ciplukan | Wikidata |
| su | Cécéndét | Wikidata |
| ko | 땅꽈리 | Wikidata |
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.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Northern Europe | Great Britain | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Belgium | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Czechia-Slovakia | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Germany | WCVP |
| Southwestern Europe | France | WCVP |
| Southwestern Europe | Sardegna | WCVP |
| Southwestern Europe | Spain | WCVP |
| Southeastern Europe | Albania | WCVP |
| Southeastern Europe | Greece | WCVP |
| Southeastern Europe | Italy | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, Physalis angulata, is a versatile medicinal species where various components are utilized for their therapeutic properties. Practitioners often employ the whole plants to treat a wide range of ailments, sometimes specifically focusing on the dried whole herbs to prepare infusions or decoctions. The leaves are frequently used in topical applications or teas due to their specific bioactive compounds, while the distinctive fruits, encased in a papery calyx, are also studied for their nutritional and medicinal value. Ultimately, because the therapeutic efficacy is distributed throughout the organism, the whole plant is often considered the most comprehensive source for traditional remedies.- Total parts
- 14
- Scientific sources
- 22
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| leaves | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| whole plants | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| whole plant | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| fruits | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| whole herbs | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| twigs | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| stems | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| root | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| fruit | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| flowers | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Physalis angulata has 10 reported phytochemicals identified across 11 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include withanolides, Physalin F, Phytol, Squalen-1-ol, Withanolides.
- Total chemicals
- 10
- Scientific sources
- 11
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| withanolides | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Physalin F | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Phytol | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Squalen-1-ol | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Withanolides | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| flavonoids | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| physalin B | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| physalin D | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| physalin F | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| squalene | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Physalis angulata has 9 reported activities identified across 10 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antimalarial, Anticancer, Antiinflammatory, Antimicrobial, Antioxidant.
- Total activities
- 9
- Scientific sources
- 10
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antimalarial | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Anticancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiinflammatory | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antimicrobial | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antioxidant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiplasmodial | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Cytotoxic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Diuretic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Laxative | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Physalis angulata has 16 reported medicinal uses identified across 21 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include malaria, asthma, hepatitis, rheumatism, Bacillus subtilis.
- Total uses
- 16
- Scientific sources
- 21
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| malaria | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| asthma | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| hepatitis | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| rheumatism | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Bacillus subtilis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Escherichia coli | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Pseudomonas aeruginosa | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Streptococcus mutans | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| dermatitis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |