Physalis cordata

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Physalis galapagoensis
• Physalis clarionensis
• Physalis porrecta

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 specifically classified under the genus Physalis.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical range spanning across several distinct regions. In the Western Indian Ocean, its presence is noted in both Comoros and Madagascar. Its distribution extends into East Asia, specifically found on the island of Hainan in China. Additionally, the species is located within the Indo-China region. This encompasses the territories of both Cambodia and Laos.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Physalis cordata is characterized by its adaptability to various terrains, spanning an elevational range that begins at sea level (0 m AMSL) and reaches a maximum altitude of 2000 m AMSL. While its mean elevation is recorded at 0 m AMSL, indicating a strong presence in lowland regions, the species demonstrates significant vertical plasticity. Regarding its preferred environmental settings, the plant is frequently documented within "Área Antrópica" (anthropic areas), suggesting that it thrives in landscapes modified by human activity, such as disturbed soils, agricultural fringes, or urbanized environments.

Elevational range max:

2000 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Área Antrópica

Life history

The life history of Physalis cordata is characterized by an annual lifecycle, meaning the plant completes its entire biological progression—from germination and vegetative growth to flowering and seed production—within a single growing season. Following the germination of seeds in favorable soil conditions, the plant undergoes a period of rapid vegetative development, establishing its foliage and structural integrity. As the season progresses, it enters a reproductive phase where it produces flowers and eventually develops fruit protected by a characteristic bladder-like calyx. Once the seeds have matured and are dispersed, the individual plant reaches the end of its life cycle, leaving the survival of the species dependent on the successful establishment of the next generation of seeds in the soil.

Lifecycle :

annual

Morphology

The morphology of Physalis cordata is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb, specifically categorized as a forb. It functions as an independent organism, maintaining an independent nutritional status without being a parasite. In terms of its ecological habit, the plant is terrestrial rather than aquatic or epiphytic, lacking any hemi-epiphytic or holo-epiphytic tendencies. Structurally, it is a self-supporting plant; although it exhibits traits related to climbing, it does not function as an obligatory vine or liana, but rather remains self-supporting in its physical stature.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

non-woody

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Activities

Physalis cordata has 1 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Cytotoxic.

Cytotoxic

1. Phytotherapy research : PTR

Conditions

Physalis cordata has 1 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include tumor cell lines.

Tumor cell lines

1. Phytotherapy research : PTR

Preparations

Physalis cordata has 1 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include extracts.

Extracts

1. Phytotherapy research : PTR