Physalis species: Chinese lantern plant

Family

Solanaceae

Common Names

Chinese or Japanese lantern - Physalis alkekengi

Cape gooseberry - P. peruviana

Tomatillo - P. philadelphica

Ground cherry - P. lobata

Plant Description

Comprising a genus of 80 or more species, Physalis are found world wide and are bushy, erect, annuals or perennials, some having a rhizomatous root system. Leaves are alternate or whorled, entire or pinnately lobed. Flowers are produced in the leaf axils, and are white, yellow, blue, or purple depending upon the species (Fig. 310 and Fig. 311). The fruits are edible in some species and become enclosed by the calyces that are papery and are bright orange-red in some species.

Figure 310. Physalis lobata.

Figure 311. Physalis alkekengi Inset-Berry.

Toxic Principle and Mechanism of Action

Solanine glycoalkaloids are found in all parts of the plants, with the ripe fruits having negligible amounts. Calystegins have been isolated from P. alkekengi [1].

Risk Assessment

Cases of poisoning are rarely reported involving Physalis, but because certain species are grown for their edible fruits or colorful "lanterns", there is potential for the solanine alkaloids to cause toxicity in people or animals that eat the plants or unripe fruits [2].

Clinical Signs

Eaten in quantity, ground cherries can cause digestive problems, and in one report sheep died from liver disease and hemorrhagic lungs after eating cut-leaf ground cherry (P. angulata) [2].