Solanaceae FAMILY

Physalis neomexicana

Edibility

2/5

Medicinal

0/5

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 neomexicana is an erect, annual plant growing from a taproot. Spreading branches are produced at most nodes, the plant growing around 10 - 50cm tall[ 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. ]. The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food.

Habitat & Origin

Origintemperate

Native RangeSouthern N. America - Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, western Texas, northwest Mexico (Baja California).

HabitatSandy soil, pinyon-juniper associations, disturbed grasslands, roadsides, cultivated fields, gardens; at elevations from 1,500 - 2,500 metres[ 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. ]. Mountainous areas amongst junipers or pines, sometimes in open cultivated fields, 1500 - 2250 metres.