Physalis coztomatl
Physalis coztomatl, commonly known as the Mexican groundcherry, is a versatile medicinal plant native to Mesoamerica. Renowned in traditional ethnobotany, it possesses significant antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Often used to treat digestive ailments and skin irritations, this botanical treasure offers promising potential for modern pharmacological research and development.
- Scientific name: Physalis coztomatl
- Family: Solanaceae
- Native range: Northern America
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. Following its subclass Magnoliidae, it is organized under the order Solanales and the family Solanaceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Physalis, which defines its specific taxonomic placement.
| 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 coztomatl, is identified by its traditional Nahuatl name, Cōztomatl.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| nah | Cōztomatl | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a wide-ranging presence across the diverse landscapes of Mexico. It can be found growing throughout the central regions of the country. Its distribution extends into the northeastern territories, covering significant land areas. Additionally, the species is prevalent across the Gulf regions and throughout the southwest. Finally, its geographical reach completes its coverage by appearing in the southeast of Mexico.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Mexico | Mexico Central | WCVP |
| Mexico | Mexico Northeast | WCVP |
| Mexico | Mexico Gulf | WCVP |
| Mexico | Mexico Southwest | WCVP |
| Mexico | Mexico Southeast | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, Physalis coztomatl, is primarily utilized in traditional medicine through its aerial parts, which encompass the stems, leaves, and flowers located above the ground. These components are often harvested to prepare various decoctions or infusions, as they contain the bioactive compounds necessary for its therapeutic effects. By focusing on the aerial parts, practitioners can access the plant's vital elements while ensuring the root system remains intact for potential regrowth.- Total parts
- 1
- Scientific sources
- 1
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Aerial parts | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Physalis coztomatl has 3 reported phytochemicals identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 15-dehydrophysacoztomatin, Labd-13(E)-ene-8alpha,15-diol, physacoztomatin.
- Total chemicals
- 3
- Scientific sources
- 3
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| 15-dehydrophysacoztomatin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Labd-13(E)-ene-8alpha,15-diol | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| physacoztomatin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |