Solanaceae FAMILY Least Concern

Physalis coztomatl

Edibility

2/5

Medicinal

2/5

Safety & Hazards

The unripe fruits and foliage of Physalis species contain solanine and other solanidine alkaloids and are toxic if ingested in large quantities. The ripe fruiys are usually edible, and several species are cultivated for these fruits[ 270 Title Flora of N. America Publication Author Website http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/fna/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description An on-line version of the flora with an excellent description of the plant including a brief mention of plant uses. ].

Botanical Description

Physalis coztomatl is a perennial plant, branched from near the base, with stems that become more or less woody and persist; it can grow up to 200cm tall[ 2214 Title Taxonomic revision of Physalis in Mexico Publication Front. Genet. 14:1080176 Author Martínez M. et al Website http:// 10.3389/fgene.2023.1080176 Publisher Year 2023 ISBN Description ]. The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food. Physalis coztomatl has a very large range, it is present in many protected areas and there are no major widespread threats currently affecting its population. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2020)[ 338 Title IUCN Red List of Threatened Species Publication Author Website http://www.iucnredlist.org/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat. ].

Habitat & Origin

Origintropical

Native RangeSouthern N. America - central and southern Mexico

HabitatOak forests, pine forests and pine-oak forests, and mountain mesophyllus forests; at elevations from 2,200 - 3,800 metres[ 338 Title IUCN Red List of Threatened Species Publication Author Website http://www.iucnredlist.org/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat. ].