Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Shrub |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Southern America |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical |
| Local Conservation Status | Non-native |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | Herbaceous plant which usually grows up to 1m in height. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Leaves are simple and they exist asymmetrically in pairs at each node (alternate leaf arrangement). Leaf blade ranged from broadly ovate to cordate, with mostly entire leaf margin or sometimes with a few blunt lobes. Leaf blade has velvety texture. |
| Flowers | Flowers are yellow with distinct purplish brown spots at the flower throat. Surrounded by purplish green, 5-pointed hairy calyx, flowers are solitary and occurs at leaf axils. When the flower falls, the light brown calyx will enlarge and encloses the fruit. |
| Fruit | Globose fruit (1.5 cm – 2 cm in diameter) with smooth, glossy and orange-yellow skin. Fruit can be eaten raw and gives a sweet and aromatic taste. It can also be made into jam. Fruit contains numerous yellowish seeds, about 2 mm wide. |
| Habitat | Found in forests, forest edges, and disturbed areas. It also occurs in gardens and cultivated areas. |
| Etymology | The genus Physalis means bellows, which refers to the inflated fruiting calyx, resembling a bellows or bladder. The specific epithet peruviana means from Peru. |
| Ethnobotanical Uses | Edible Plant Parts : Edible Fruits Food (Fruit or Vegetable): Fruits can be made into jam. |
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Flowers |
|---|---|
| Landscape Uses | Parks & Gardens, Container Planting |
Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal
| Seed or Spore Dispersal | Biotic (Fauna) |
|---|
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun, Semi-Shade |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Well-Drained Soils |
| Propagation Method | Seed, Stem Cutting |
Foliar
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
|---|---|
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Foliar Arrangement Along Stem | Alternate |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage (Ovate, Elliptical, Cordate) |
| Foliar Margin | Entire |
| Foliage Retention Remarks | Leaves turn yellow and fall once fruit ripens. |
Non - Foliar and Storage
| Root Type | Underground |
|---|
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower & Plant Sexuality | Bisexual Flowers |
| Flower Colour(s) | Yellow / Golden |
|---|---|
| Flower Texture(s) | Hairy / Hirsute |
| Flower Grouping | Solitary |
| Flower Location | Axillary |
| Flower Symmetry | Radial |
| Individual Flower Shape | Campaulate / Bell-shaped |
| Flowering Period | Free-Flowering |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Mature Fruit Colour(s) | Orange |
|---|---|
| Mature Fruit Texture(s) | Smooth, Glossy / Shiny |
| Fruit Classification | Simple Fruit |
| Fruit Type |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 32334 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 6742 |
| Flora Disclaimer | The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes. |
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