Physalis pubescens
Physalis pubescens l.
Physalis pubescens, commonly known as groundcherry or husk tomato, is a versatile perennial herb native to North America. Renowned for its edible, golden berries encased in papery calyxes, this plant offers significant nutritional value and traditional medicinal uses, including anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, making it a botanical treasure.
- Scientific name: Physalis pubescens
- Family: Solanaceae
- Native range: Europe
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. It is further classified under the subclass Magnoliidae, the order Solanales, and the family Solanaceae. Finally, its taxonomic identity is defined by 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, scientifically known as Physalis pubescens, is recognized by several different common names depending on the linguistic and regional context. In Simplified Chinese, it is referred to as 毛酸浆 (zh-hans) and 毛酸浆 (zh-cn), while in Singapore, the name 毛酸浆 (zh-sg) is also used. In Traditional Chinese contexts, such as in Taiwan, the name is written as 毛酸漿 (zh-hant), and in Hong Kong, it is identified as 毛酸漿 (zh-hk).| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| zh-hans | 毛酸浆 | Wikidata |
| zh-hant | 毛酸漿 | Wikidata |
| zh-hk | 毛酸漿 | Wikidata |
| zh-cn | 毛酸浆 | Wikidata |
| zh-sg | 毛酸浆 | Wikidata |
| zh-tw | 毛酸漿 | Wikidata |
| ja | ヒメセンナリホオズキ | Wikidata |
| zh | 毛酸漿 | Wikidata |
| sv | Dunlyktört | Wikidata |
| ht | Manman lanman | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution across several regions of Europe. In Northern Europe, its presence can be documented within Great Britain. Moving into Middle Europe, it is found throughout Germany as well as in the Czechia-Slovakia region. The distribution extends into Southeastern Europe, where it inhabits the landscape of Albania. Finally, the plant is also recorded growing within the borders of Italy.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Northern Europe | Great Britain | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Czechia-Slovakia | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Germany | WCVP |
| Southeastern Europe | Albania | WCVP |
| Southeastern Europe | Italy | WCVP |
| Southeastern Europe | Romania | WCVP |
| Eastern Europe | Central European Russia | WCVP |
| Eastern Europe | Ukraine | WCVP |
| Northern Africa | Morocco | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Benin | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, commonly known as groundcherry, possesses several distinct morphological features that contribute to its medicinal profile. The stems are typically slender and branched, providing the necessary structural support for the plant's growth. Attached to these are the green, ovate leaves, which play a crucial role in photosynthesis. The most distinctive feature of Physalis pubescens is its fruit, which is enclosed within a papery, bladder-like calyx. Once matured, these individual fruits become fleshy and edible, representing the reproductive culmination of the plant's life cycle.- Total parts
- 4
- Scientific sources
- 5
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| fruits | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| stems | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| leaves | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| fruit | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Physalis pubescens has 2 reported phytochemicals identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include withanolides, physapubescin.
- Total chemicals
- 2
- Scientific sources
- 3
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| withanolides | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| physapubescin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Physalis pubescens has 6 reported medicinal uses identified across 6 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include cancer, coughs, eczema, lymphoma, pemphigus.
- Total uses
- 6
- Scientific sources
- 6
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| cancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| coughs | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| eczema | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| lymphoma | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| pemphigus | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| sore throats | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |