Physalis virginiana var. sonorae
(Torr.) Waterf.
Longleaf groundcherry
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University of New Mexico Herbarium (UNM-Vascular Plants)
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Summary
Source: WikipediaPhysalis virginiana, the Virginia groundcherry, is a rhizomatous perennial with a deeply buried stem base. It is found mostly in eastern North America as far west as Wyoming.
Description
A temperate herb in the Solanaceae family with edible fruit.
This description is brief — help expand it
Edible Uses
The fruit are eaten fresh or boiled. They are also boiled and ground together with onions, chili, and coriander seeds for consumption.
Traditional Uses
The fruit are eaten fresh or boiled. The fruit are also boiled and ground with onions, chili, and coriander seeds and eaten.
This uses section is brief — help expand it
Medicinal Uses
Native Americans traditionally used various Physalis species for eye infections, treating open wounds, and gastrointestinal symptoms. Physalis species are now studied for their potential health benefits. One study done specifically on P. virginiana was intended to investigate its antibacterial potential. The overall purpose of this study was to identify the chemical compounds of P. virginiana that could be used to make antibiotics. The researchers introduced extracts from the plant to twelve different bacteria cultures. They found that extracts from the plant inhibited the growth of eight out of the twelve strains of bacteria. The identified the chemical compound in the plant that inhibits bacteria growth to be withanolide. The whole plant showed bacteria inhibiting properties but extracts from the shoots of the plants had the most effect, and extracts from the roots of the plant showed the least effect.
Distribution
It is a temperate plant.
Where It Grows
Asia, India, North America, USA,
Notes
There are about 75-100 Physalis species.
Synonyms
References (7)
- Ambasta, S.P. (Ed.), 2000, The Useful Plants of India. CSIR India. p 453
- Beckstrom-Sternberg, Stephen M., and James A. Duke. "The Foodplant Database." http://probe.nalusda.gov:8300/cgi-bin/browse/foodplantdb.(ACEDB version 4.0 - data version July 1994) (As Physalis longifolia)
- Kermath, B. M., et al, 2014, Food Plants in the Americas: A survey of the domesticated, cultivated and wild plants used for Human food in North, Central and South America and the Caribbean. On line draft. p 652
- Moerman, D. F., 2010, Native American Ethnobotany. Timber Press. p 395 (As Physalis longifolia)
- Plants for a Future database, The Field, Penpol, Lostwithiel, Cornwall, PL22 0NG, UK. http://www.scs.leeds.ac.uk/pfaf/
Show all 7 references Hide references
- Rhodora 60:154. 1958
- Saunders, C.F., 1948, Edible and Useful Wild Plants. Dover. New York. p 87 (As Physalis longifolia)
