Toothed-leaved winter cherry, Angular winter-cherry
Physalis angulata
Family: Solanaceae
What it is like
A perennial herb up to about 1 m high. The leaves are smooth. The stems are angular. The leaves are oval and have teeth along the edge. They are 5-10 cm long by 3-6 cm wide. The flowers occur singly. The flowers are small and cream coloured. They do not have a dark spot. It has a yellow berry with many seeds inside. The berry is enclosed in a veiny inflated case about 3 cm across. This has reddish brown veins. The berries are sticky.
There are about 75-100 Physalis species.
Where it is found
It is a tropical plant. It mostly occurs above 1000 m and up to 2800 m altitude. It can grow in arid places. In Yunnan.
Countries/locations it is found in
Africa, Amazon, American Samoa, Angola, Argentina, Asia, Australia, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Benin, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil (country/location of origin), Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Caribbean, Central Africa, Central America (country/location of origin), Central Asia, Chad, China, Colombia, Congo DR, Cook Islands, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, East Africa, Ecuador, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Eswatini, Fiji, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guiana, Guianas, Guinea, Guinée, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Japan, Kenya, Kiribati, Korea, Laos, Lesotho, Lesser Antilles (country/location of origin), Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Mali, Marquesas, Mexico, Micronesia, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nauru, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, North Africa, North America, Northeastern India, Pacific, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru (country/location of origin), Puerto Rico (country/location of origin), Rotuma, Samoa, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, SE Asia, Senegal, South Africa, Southern Africa, South America (country/location of origin), Suriname, Swaziland, Taiwan, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tonga, Torres Strait, Trinidad, Tuvalu, Uruguay, USA, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Vietnam, West Africa, West Indies (country/location of origin), West Timor, Zambia, Zimbabwe
How it is used for food
The fruit can be eaten raw or cooked. They can be fried, stewed or made into marmalade by cooking in palm syrup. They can be used in the preparation of hot chili sauces. The young leaves are used in soup.
In Papua New Guinea a common plant and the fruit is being used more commonly. The fruit are especially eaten by children. It is sold in local markets in China. It is cultivated.
Edible parts
Fruit, leaves, vegetable
How it is grown
It is easily grown by sprinkling a few seeds into moist ground. It grows easily under most conditions. If the plants are in a very sheltered place, fertilization is improved by spraying the plants with water.
In southern India plants flower and fruit July to December.
Its other names
Local names
Alkekenje, Baa tom tok, Balao, Balao-rajado, Bate-testa, B'lito, Bolsa mullaca, Bucho-de-ra, Bulabula, Bule-bule, Butulituli, Camapu, Camapum, Camaru, Camu apu, Camunbu, Capod, Cecenetan, Ceplukan, Chipluan, Chubobo, Ciplokan, Ciplukan, Cutleaf ground-cherry, Deng long cao, Ding rai, Embolsado, Farolito, Globito, Jambumbo, Joa, Joa-de-capote, Jua-poca, Lapuik-lapuik, Leletup, Mata-fome, Matsarmama, Morok poklaobi, Motojobobo ambolsado, Msupu, Muguzubheri, Mullaca blanco, Njottanjodiyan, Peng pahs sraom, Pengposprey, Pini, Popa, Potka, Potolai, Pultak-pultak, Pung ping, Putok-putokan, Rubooro, Songwa, Tau-tau, Te baraki, Thong theng, Tino tino, Tipai, Toltolaya, Tomatillo, Topotoropo, Ubat pekong, Vi vao
Synonyms
Physalis angulata L. var. capsicifolia (Dunal) Griseb.; Physalis angulata L. var. lanceifolia (Nees) Waterf.; Physalis angulata L. var. pendula (Rydb.) Waterf.; Physalis capsicifolia Dunal; Physalis esquirolii H. Lev. & Vaniot; Physalis lanceifolia Nees; Physalis linkiana Nees; Physalis pendula Rydb.; Physalis ramosissima Mill.;