Sunberry, Pygmy groundcherry

Physalis minima

Physical Characteristics

Physalis minima is a ANNUAL growing to 0.5 m (1ft 8in). It is frost tender. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.

Distribution

E. Asia - China, Himalayas, to Australia.

Habitats

Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Fruit Edible Uses: Edible fruit - cooked[46, 61, 144]. Tastes like a cherry tomato[193]. Scarcely worthwhile[105]. Juicy, mildly astringent and sweet with a pleasant blend of acid, the overall quality is good[194]. The unripe fruit can be cooked as a vegetable[194]. The fruit is about 1.5cm in diameter[194]. It contains about 6% sugars, 2.7% protein, 1.2% ash, 0.6% tannin and 0.5% pectin[194]. A good quantity of vitamin C. about 24.5mg per 100ml of juice[194]. The fruit is formed and ripens consecutively over a long period[194]. Average yields from a plant covering 2.5 square metres are about 545g[194]. The plant conveniently wraps up each fruit in its own 'paper bag' (botanically, the calyx) to protect it from pests and the elements. This calyx is toxic and should not be eaten.

Medicinal Uses

Appetizer Bitter Cancer Diuretic Laxative Tonic Vitamin C The fruit is said to be appetizer, bitter, diuretic, laxative and tonic[194, 240]. Extracts from the plant have shown anticancer activity[218]. The juice of the leaves, mixed with mustard oil and water, has been used as a remedy for earache[240].

Known Hazards

Although no specific mention has been seen for this species, it belongs to a genus where many of the members have poisonous leaves and stems, though the full ripe fruits are usually edible[19, 65].