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Solanaceae FAMILY Least Concern

Physalis acutifolia

Physalis acutifolia

Edibility
2/5
Medicinal
0/5

Safety & Hazards

The unripe fruits and foliage of Physalis species contain solanine and other solanidine alkaloids and are toxic if ingested in large quantities. The ripe fruiys are usually edible, and several species are cultivated for these fruits[ 270 Title Flora of N. America Publication Author Website http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/fna/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description An on-line version of the flora with an excellent description of the plant including a brief mention of plant uses. ].

Botanical Description

Physalis acutifolia is an erect to decumbent, annual plant with spreading branches; growing from a taproot, it is usually around 10 - 50cm tall, occasionally to 100cm[ 270 Title Flora of N. America Publication Author Website http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/fna/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description An on-line version of the flora with an excellent description of the plant including a brief mention of plant uses. , 2214 Title Taxonomic revision of Physalis in Mexico Publication Front. Genet. 14:1080176 Author Martínez M. et al Website http:// 10.3389/fgene.2023.1080176 Publisher Year 2023 ISBN Description ]. The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food Physalis acutifolia is a common, widespread species in Mexico and the United States of America. It also occurs in several types of habitats and is present in a number of protected areas. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2019)[ 338 Title IUCN Red List of Threatened Species Publication Author Website http://www.iucnredlist.org/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat. ].

Habitat & Origin

Origintemperate
Native RangeSouth-western N. America - California to southern Mexico.
HabitatA weed of agricultural land and disturbed soils from sea level to elevations of 220 metres[ 276 Title Flora of California Publication Author Website http://www.calflora.org Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description An on-line database of the Californian flora, giving details on plant habitats and photos of the plants. ]. Grows on volcanic rocks near sandy riverbanks or coastal vegetation, tropical deciduous forest, or mangroves; at elevations up to 1,500 metres[ 2214 Title Taxonomic revision of Physalis in Mexico Publication Front. Genet. 14:1080176 Author Martínez M. et al Website http:// 10.3389/fgene.2023.1080176 Publisher Year 2023 ISBN Description ].