Physalis lagascae

Family: Solanaceae

What it is like

An annual herb. It grows 90 cm high. The stems are weak. It has many branches. It is covered with hairs. It is often tinged purple. The branches are angular. The leaf stalks can have wings and sheath the stem at the base. The leaf blade is 2-8 cm long by 1-5 cm wide. It can vary in shape. The flowers occur singly. They are at the side of the leaf stalk. The flowers are greenish-yellow. The fruit are yellow and 6-10 mm across. The seeds are light brown.

There are about 75-100 Physalis species.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. A common weed in cultivated areas.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Antilles, Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Caribbean, Côte d'Ivoire, East Africa, Ethiopia, Europe, Ghana, Guinea, Guinée, Guinea-Bissau, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Malawi, Mexico, Mozambique, Nauru, Nigeria, North America, Pacific, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South America (country/location of origin), Southern Africa, Spain, Uganda, Venezuela, West Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The fruit are eaten raw.

The fruit are eaten especially by children.

Edible parts

Fruit, leaves, vegetable

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Awet, Awt, Pao-pao

Synonyms

Physalis divaricata sensu auctt; Physalis micrantha Link.; Physalis parviflora Lag.;