Physalis philadelphica Lam.

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Physalis philadelphica

Picture: Bart Wursten
Cnr Lanner/Teviotdale Ave, Borrowdale Common

Physalis philadelphica

Picture: Bart Wursten
Cnr Lanner/Teviotdale Ave, Borrowdale Common

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Species details: Click on each item to see an explanation of that item (Note: opens a new window)

Synonyms: Physalis aequata J. Jacq. ex Nees
Physalis ixocarpa Brot. ex Hornem.
Common names: Japanese Gooseberry (English: Zambia) Tomatillo (English: Zambia)
Frequency:
Status: Introduced
Description:
Mostly erect, annual herb, usually less than 70 cm, sparsely covered with glandular hairs, particularly when young. Leaves ovate with slightly winged petioles; margin irregularly dentate, mostly glabrous but sometimes with scattered hairs. Flowers solitary, axillary, erect or pendulous, yellow with purple-brown spots inside the corolla. Fruit yellow-green, sticky.
Type location:
Grown from seed probably from North America
Notes: Physalis ixocarpa has been sunk under P. philadelphica on the strength of advice received from Maggie Whitson of the Biology Dept. of Northern Kentucky University and the treatment in the African Plants Database.
Derivation of specific name:
Habitat: A weed of cultivation, roadsides and disturbed areas.
Altitude range:
Flowering time:
Worldwide distribution: Its origins are no longer clear but is known as a naturalised species in Europe, Australia and Africa.
Zambian distribution (Flora Zambesiaca): C,S
Zambian distribution (Provinces): Lk
Growth form(s):
Endemic status:
Red data list status:
Insects associated with this species:
Spot characters: Display spot characters for this species
Literature:

Chapano, C. & Mugarisanwa, N.H. (2003). Plants of the Matobo District National Herbarium and Botanic Garden, Zimbabwe Page 29.

Gonçalves, A.E. (2005). Solanaceae Flora Zambesiaca 8(4) Pages 48 - 49.

Mapaura, A. & Timberlake, J. (eds) (2004). A checklist of Zimbabwean vascular plants Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report No. 33 Sabonet, Pretoria and Harare Page 79.

Other sources of information about Physalis philadelphica:

Our websites:

Flora of Botswana: Physalis philadelphica
Flora of Zimbabwe: Physalis philadelphica
Flora of Zimbabwe: cultivated Physalis philadelphica

External websites:

African Plants: A Photo Guide (Senckenberg): Physalis philadelphica
African Plant Database: Physalis philadelphica
BHL (Biodiversity Heritage Library): Physalis philadelphica
EOL (Encyclopedia of Life): Physalis philadelphica
GBIF (Global Biodiversity Information Facility): Physalis philadelphica
Google: Web - Images - Scholar
iNaturalist: Physalis philadelphica
IPNI (International Plant Names Index): Physalis philadelphica
JSTOR Plant Science: Physalis philadelphica
Mansfeld World Database of Agricultural and Horticultural Crops: Physalis philadelphica
Plants of the World Online: Physalis philadelphica
Tropicos: Physalis philadelphica
Wikipedia: Physalis philadelphica


Copyright: Mike Bingham, Annette Willemen, Bart Wursten, Petra Ballings and Mark Hyde, 2011-24

Bingham, M.G., Willemen, A., Wursten, B.T., Ballings, P. and Hyde, M.A. (2024). Flora of Zambia: Species information: Physalis philadelphica.
https://www.zambiaflora.com/speciesdata/species.php?species_id=150540, retrieved 28 March 2024

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