Solanaceae FAMILY

Physalis viscosa

Edibility

4/5

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 viscosa is a perennial plant that can grow up to 60cm tall. The edible fruit is sometimes gathered from the wild and consumed locally. The plant also has local medicinal applications.

Habitat & Origin

Origintemperate; tropical

Native RangeSouthern N. America - Mexico; S. America - Bolivia, eastern and southern Brazil, northern and central Chile, Paraguay, Argentina, Uruguay

HabitatCoastal sand dunes, sandy woods near the coast, pinelands and prairies[ 72 Title Manual of the Southeastern Flora. Publication Author Small J.K. Website http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org Publisher University of N. Carolina Press. Year 1933 ISBN Description Getting rather dated now, an immense work covering the flora of Southeastern N. America. No pictures, it is not for the casual reader. It can be downloaded from the Internet. ]. Moist soils[ 49 Title Shrubs for the Milder Counties. Publication Author Arnold-Forster. Publisher Year ISBN Description Trees and shrubs that grow well in Cornwall and other mild areas of Britain. Fairly good, a standard reference book. ].