Physalis angulata
(cutleaf groundcherry)

Preferred Scientific Name

• Physalis angulata L.

Preferred Common Name

• cutleaf groundcherry

Other Scientific Names

• Physalis indica Lam.
• Physalis lanceifolia Nees
• Physalis minima L.
• Physalis parviflora R. Br.

International Common Names

• English: angular winter cherry; annual ground cherry; annual groundcherry; balloon cherry; bladder cherry; bladderberry; bush tomato; cape gooseberry; gooseberry; ground cherry; wild cape gooseberry; wild capegooseberry; wild gooseberry; winter cherry
• Spanish: capuli cimarron; huevo de tortuga; tomatillo
• French: coqueret
• Portuguese: barrilheiro; bucho-de-ra

Local Common Names

• : ku zhi
• Argentina: alkekenje
• Australia: annual groundcherry
• Brazil: bucho de ra; bucho-de-ra'; camapu; camapu; ju'a de Capote; mata-fome
• Chile: tomatillos de Brihuega
• Cook Islands: tamaru; tupera tamaru-ariki; tupere
• Cuba: huevo de gato
• Dominican Republic: tope tope
• Ecuador: popoja
• Fiji: cevucevu; kospeli; mborosousou; mborosousou ni vavalangi; mbotembote yandra; mburasu; mokoai; thevuthevu
• France: coqueret; coqueret anguleux
• French Polynesia: tamanufairi; tamaru haari
• Germany: Kantige Blasenkirsche
• Guatemala: meltonate
• Indonesia: cecendet; tjeplukan
• Japan: sennari-houzuki; sennarihozuki; sennari-hozuki
• Kiribati: te baraki; te bin
• Marshall Islands: kaoror
• Micronesia, Federated states of: tuhke wah pwonopwon duwehte tehn sele (Pohnpeian)
• Nauru: oatamo; watamo
• Nigeria: koropo
• Niue: manini
• Northern Mariana Islands: tomate chaca (Chamorro); tomates caputi (Chamorro)
• Palau: bubeubedul; pohaa
• Peru: bolsa mullaca
• Philippines: putok putokan; tino tino
• Puerto Rico: sababyche
• Samoa: magalo; magalo; vi vao
• Spain: bomba; huevillo; meltonate; mullaca; popoja; tomatillo; tomatillos de Brihuega; vejigon
• Sweden: kantig lyktört
• Tonga: polo pa
• Tuvalu: pini; te peen
• Venezuela: hueva de sapo; topotopo

EPPO code

• PHYAN (Physalis angulata)

• Domain: Eukaryota
•     Kingdom: Plantae
•         Phylum: Spermatophyta
•             Subphylum: Angiospermae
•                 Class: Dicotyledonae
•                     Order: Solanales
•                         Family: Solanaceae
•                             Genus: Physalis
•                                 Species: Physalis angulata

The identity of Physalis angulata L. as a distinct species is now well-established (Nicolson et alet al., 1988; Reddy et al., 1999), although it has been known by several synonyms. Two of the more commonly quoted are P. minima and P. lanceifolia, but neither is in current use.

Morphological variation in P. angulata was noted even by Linnaeus. P. lanceifolia and P. pendula were recorded by Kartesz (1994) as synonyms of P. angulata. Bean (2006) recognized two forms within P. angulata: a glabrous typical form and an antrorsely hairy form with unlobed or singly lobed leaves. The existence of numerous varieties of P. angulata suggests that there is considerable genetic variation within this species, something which has been confirmed by several genetic studies. This suggests there is potential for further selection.

The genus name Physalis, a Greek word, means bladder and refers to the inflated calyx, while the Latin species name angulata means angled and refers to the stems or the angled nature of calyx (Hall et al., 1991).

P. angulata is an annual herbaceous plant, branched erect, with tap-roots, angled and hollow stems growing up to 1-2 m in height, although there are reports of plants growing only up to 50 cm tall (South Australia, 2012). It is usually hairless (glabrous); however, occasional plants have short hairs, especially on the younger parts (Hall et al., 1991).

As stated by Bean (2006), in some Australian states (such as Queensland and New South Wales) the typical form of P. angulata is almost completely glabrous, and frequently the leaves have several lobes. Specimens from Top End in Northern Territory (Australia), Kimberley in Western Australia and Malesia also appear glabrous to the naked eye, but often have numerous antrorse hairs (up to 0.15 mm long) on the stems and pedicels. The leaves of this form are often entire or repand, or have at most a single pair of lobes or teeth and the calyx is moderately hairy (Bean, 2006).

The leaves are ovate to ovate-oblong leaves (or laceolate), obtuse, acute or rounded (somewhat asymmetric) at base, acute-acuminate, often repand-dentate, rather dark dull green, very short-puberulent on both sides on the nerves, 1-2 per node, usually irregularly toothed but sometimes smooth, 3-15 cm long and 2-10 cm wide. Leaf bases are unequal. The petioles are usually 3-4 cm long or sometimes longer, up to 10 cm (Stone, 1970; PIER, 2011; South Australia, 2012). A single plant can have up to 200 leaves, depending on the weed biotypes and several factors such as water and nutrient availability (Travlos, 2012).

The flowers are borne on stalks 5-40 mm in length. The flowering time is June to October in Greece and Turkey (Gönen et al., 2001; Travlos et al., 2010). The corolla is yellowish-green, usually without spots although occasionally with distinct spots, 4-12 mm long and 6-12 mm wide. The anthers are bluish or violet, up to 2.5 mm long and are borne on stalks up to 5 mm long (style 4-5 mm long). The green outer layer is 4-7 mm long with triangular lobes about as long as the tube. The fruit is an orange-coloured round berry, 1-1.8 cm long and is enclosed in the outer layer. This outer layer (a balloon-like calyx of 5 lobes with a small apical opening) is 2-6 mm long; it grows around and encloses the fruit. The fruiting calyx is pale green (pale brown when dry), inflated, 10-angled or ribbed, 23-35 mm long and 15-25 mm wide; it is borne on a stalk 1-4 cm long (Hall et al., 1991; South Australia, 2012). Seeds are disc-shaped to broadly reniform, 1-2 mm long, flat, pale yellow (Stone, 1970; Gönen et al., 2000; PIER, 2011).

Cotyledons are ovate with reddish petioles and without a distinct midvein. The first leaves are similar in shape to the cotyledons, but with an acute apex and evident venation.

The first reports of introduced P. angulata come from tropical regions of India during the 1700s (Rydberg, 1896; Stone, 1970). It was introduced to Australia before 1788 (Bean, 2006; South Australia, 2012), and apparently aboriginally introduced to Polynesia (Whistler, 1988). It is now widespread throughout tropical, subtropical and warmer temperate regions (Raju et al., 2007).

In 2001 there was only one record of P. angulata in Greece, in a rural site in Ilia prefecture, in the Peloponnese (Greuter and Rhaus, 2001), but by 2009 it was found in summer crops (maize, cotton and soyabean) and it is now considered to be a widely distributed invader in corn fields in Greece (Travlos et al., 2010; Travlos, 2012).

Soil drainage

• free

Soil reaction

• neutral

Soil texture

• light
• medium

Special soil tolerances

• infertile

Natural Dispersal and Vector Transmission (Biotic)

Natural dispersal of P. angulata by water is likely (Travlos et al., 2010). There is presumed to be dispersal by birds and mammals eating the fruit, but no documentation exists (Travlos, personal observations).

Accidental Introduction

The seeds of P. angulata can be carried short distances on people’s clothing or footwear (Travlos et al., 2010).

P. angulata has rarely been reported as an invasive weed of crops and data on crop losses caused by it are only common at the local level (e.g. Travlos et al., 2010). Conversely, it has been, and continues to be, an economically useful plant, mainly because of its use in traditional treatment of malaria, asthma, hepatitis, dermatitis, rheumatism, fever and many other diseases (Chiang et al., 1992; Lin et al., 1992; Caceres et al., 1995; Freiburghaus et al., 1996; Ankrah et al., 2003; Choi and Hwang, 2003). Moreover, P.angulata extracts act against human cancer cells (Lee et al., 2009), roots have shown anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties (Bastos et al., 2008) and the stems have demonstrated anti-neoplastic activity (Ribeiro et al., 2002).

In larger quantities the plant is poisonous to cattle and sheep, and it gives the meat a musk-like smell (Mairura, 2008).

P. angulata is a weed of cropland, gardens and plantations. It is a host of the causal agent of tomato bacterial spot Xanthomonas campestris pv. Vesicatoria, as well as viruses found in tobacco, potato, okra, capsicum pepper, lucerne, beans and several other crops, physalis mottle virus (PhyMV), and also several root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.) (Mairura, 2008).

Although P. angulata is reported as naturalized and invasive in a number of countries, especially in India and the Pacific region, no detailed analysis of its impacts has been conducted.

In tropical Africa the fruit is eaten as a snack, but eating too much of the fruit may cause dizziness. The leaves are eaten in salads, although they taste bitter. In larger quantities the plant is poisonous to cattle and sheep, and it gives the meat a musk-like smell (Mairura, 2008).

Garcia et al. (2006) have shown that that physalin B from P. angulata is a potent immunomodulatory substance for the bloodsucking insect Rhodnius prolixus and its parasitism by Trypanosoma rangeli, a protozoan parasite of triatomines and mammals. Moreover, physalin B extracted by P. angulata seems an excellent compound to reduce parasite transmission and control Chagas disease by reducing parasitism of R. prolixus with T. cruzi (Castro et al., 2012). It is already used in several countries by local people against asthma, bacterial infections, skin diseases, fever, inflammation, kidney and liver problems, malaria and cancer (Bastos et al., 2006; Hsieh et al., 2006; Lee et al., 2009; Hseu et al., 2011; Hsu et al., 2012). P.angulata extracts act against human cancer cells (Lee et al., 2009), roots have shown anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties (Bastos et al., 2008) and the stems have demonstrated anti-neoplastic activity (Ribeiro et al., 2002).

• Proved invasive outside its native range
• Has a broad native range
• Abundant in its native range
• Highly adaptable to different environments
• Tolerant of shade
• Fast growing
• Has high reproductive potential
• Has propagules that can remain viable for more than one year
• Has high genetic variability

• Ecosystem change/ habitat alteration
• Negatively impacts agriculture
• Negatively impacts animal health
• Reduced native biodiversity
• Threat to/ loss of native species
• Negatively impacts animal/plant collections

• Competition - monopolizing resources
• Poisoning
• Rapid growth

• Highly likely to be transported internationally accidentally

The many-seeded fruit is edible when ripe (Hall et al., 1991). Its berries are often used as food by Aborigines in several regions of Australia (South Australia, 2012). In tropical Africa the fruit is eaten as a snack, but eating too much of the fruit may cause dizziness. The leaves are eaten in salads, although they taste bitter.

Extracts or infusions from this plant have been used in various countries in popular medicine as a treatment for a variety of illnesses, such as malaria, asthma, hepatitis, dermatitis and rheumatism (Chiang et al., 1992; Lin et al., 1992; Santos et al., 2003; Soares et al., 2003; Mairura, 2008). In Brazil, the juice of P. angulata is considered to be a sedative and to relieve rheumatism and earache. The leaves are sometimes used against inflammations of the bladder, spleen and liver. The whole plant cooked is recommended in baths for inflammatory processes, such as rheumatism (Lorenzi, 1982; Bastos et al., 2006).

P.angulata extracts act against human cancer cells (Lee et al., 2009), its roots have shown anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties (Bastos et al., 2008) and the stems have demonstrated anti-neoplastic activity (Ribeiro et al., 2002).

It has been demonstrated that some of the extracts or active componants obtained from P. angulata have a broad range of biological activities, including antibacterial, molluscicidal, antiprotozoal and cytotoxic activities (Kastelein and Camargo, 1990; Lee et al., 1991; Chiang et al., 1992; Lin et al., 1992; Cáceres et al., 1995; Freiburghaus et al., 1996; Pietro et al., 2000; Ismail and Alam, 2001; Januario et al., 2002; Santos et al., 2003; Soares et al., 2003; Lee et al., 2009).

Phytochemical studies of P. angulata have demonstrated the presence of alkaloids, steroids known as physalins (D, I, G, K, B, F, E), physagulins (E, F and G), anolides and flavonoids (Row et al., 1978, 1980; Lee et al., 1991; Chiang et al., 1992; Shingu et al., 1992; Ismail and Alam, 2001; Damu et al., 2007).

Garcia et al. (2006) have shown that that physalin B from P. angulata is a potent immunomodulatory substance for the bloodsucking insect Rhodnius prolixus and its parasitism by Trypanosoma rangeli, a protozoan parasite of triatomines and mammals and the etiological agent of Chagas disease. Moreover, physalin B extracted by P. angulata seems an excellent compound to reduce parasite transmission and control Chagas disease by reducing parasitism of R. prolixus with T. cruzi (Castro et al., 2012). It is already used in several countries by local people against bacterial infections, skin diseases, fever and kidney and liver problems (Bastos et al., 2006; Hsieh et al., 2006; Lee et al., 2009; Hseu et al., 2011; Hsu et al., 2012).