From en.wikipedia.org:
[Species of edible flowering plant native to Eurasia] [Hozuki] {{Speciesbox
|image = Physalis alkekengi franchetii1SHSU.jpg |image_caption = _Alkekengi
officinarum_ fruit with the red husk |display_parents = 3 |genus = Alkekengi
|parent_authority = Mill. |species = officinarum |authority = Moench
|synonyms = *_Physalis alkekengi_ L.
- _Boberella alkekengi_ <small> (L.) E.H.L.Krause </small>
- _Physalis alkekengi_ var. _anthoxantha_ <small> H. Lév. </small>
- _Physalis alkekengi_ var. _orientalis_ <small> Pamp. </small>
- _Physalis ciliata_ <small> Siebold & Zucc. </small>
- _Physalis halicacabum_ <small> Crantz </small>
- _Physalis hyemalis_ <small> Salisb. </small>
- _Physalis kansuensis_ <small> Pojark. </small>
|synonyms_ref = [1] }}
_ALKEKENGI OFFICINARUM_, the BLADDER CHERRY,[2] CHINESE LANTERN,<ref
name=GRIN>[id=102387] JAPANESE-LANTERN,<ref
name=BSBI07>[access-date=2014-10-17 ] STRAWBERRY GROUNDCHERRY,[3] WINTER
CHERRY,<ref name=GRIN/> ALCHECHENGI BERRY, or KLABUSTER CHERRY is a species of
flowering plant in the nightshade family Solanaceae. It is a close relative
of the new world _Calliphysalis carpenteri_ (Carpenter's groundcherry) and a
somewhat more distant relative to the members of the _Physalis_ genus.[4] This
species is native to the regions covering Southern Europe to South Asia and
Northeast Asia.
** Description
It is easily identifiable by the large, bright orange to red papery calyx
covering over its fruit, which resembles paper lanterns. It is a perennial
herbaceous plant growing to [40–60] tall, with spirally arranged leaves [6–12]
long and [4–9] broad. The flowers are white, with a five-lobed corolla
[10–15] across, with an inflated basal calyx which matures into the papery
orange fruit covering, [4–5] long and broad. And it has one variety,
_Alkekengi officinarum_ var. _franchetii_.
Research has shown _Calliphysalis carpenteri_ (formerly classified as
_Physalis carpenteri_) to be among the most closely related species to
_Physalis alkekengi_.<ref name="Whitson 2005 216–230"/>
** Cultivation
It is a popular ornamental plant, widely cultivated in temperate regions of
the world, and very hardy to below [ -20].<ref name = RHSPF/> It can be
invasive with its wide-spreading root system sending up new shoots some
distance from where it was originally planted. In various places around the
world, it has escaped from cultivation.[5]
In the United Kingdom it has been given the Royal Horticultural Society's
Award of Garden Merit.<ref name = RHSPF>{{cite web | url =
https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/12872/i-Physalis-alkekengi-i/Details | title =
RHS Plantfinder - _Physalis alkekengi_ | access-date = 27 April 2018}}[6]
** History
_Physalis alkekengi_ has been used for a wide range of purposes in traditional
medicine for around two millennia. It was used to heal fever, induce mental
serenity, and assist in childbirth, according to ancient Chinese books
including the Erya and Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing. Its usage in reducing heat,
boosting energy, and aiding in diuresis was also mentioned in Li Shizhen's
Ming dynasty Compendium of Materia Medica. The plant's juice was thought to
be useful in treating jaundice. This traditional Chinese medicine's lengthy
historical use illustrates the wide range of therapeutic uses.[7]
The English herbalist John Gerard describes a plant known as _red winter
cherries_ in his late 16th-century herbal, which may refers to _Alkekengi
officinarum_.[8] He says that the plant is also called _red nightshade_ and
_alkakengie_ in English. It is kept in gardens and the berries are used as
medicine.
** Traditional uses
The dried fruit is called the golden flower in the Unani system of medicine,
and used as a diuretic, antiseptic, liver corrective, and sedative.[9]
In Chinese medicine, _Alkekengi_ is used to treat such conditions as
abscesses, coughs, fevers, and sore throat.[10] The extinct Dacian language
has left few traces, but in [la] by Pedanius Dioscorides, a plant called [grc]
([grc]) is discussed, which was called _kykolis_ (or _cycolis_) by the
Dacians.[date=May 2024] Some[date=May 2024] have considered this plant to be
_Alkekengi officinarum_, but the name more likely refers to ashwagandha
(_Withania somnifera_).[11]
** Chemical constituents
_Alkekengi officinarum_ contains a wide variety of physalins.[12][13][14] When
isolated from the plant, these have antibacterial[15] and
leishmanicidal[16][17] activities _in vitro_.
It also contains caffeic acid ethyl ester, 25,27-dehydro-physalin L, physalin
D, and cuneataside E.[18]
More than 530 different chemicals, including steroids, flavonoids, alkaloids,
phenylpropanoids, sucrose esters, piperazines, volatile oils, polysaccharides,
amino acids, and trace elements, are present in _Physalis alkekengi_.<ref
name="Liu e20030"/>
** Cultural significance
thumbnail In Japan, its bright and lantern-like fruiting calyces form a
traditional part of the Bon Festival as offerings intended to help guide the
souls of the dead. A market devoted to it – _hōzuki-ichi_ – is held every
year on 9–10 July near the ancient Buddhist temple of Sensō-ji in Asakusa.
** Fossil record
_Alkekengi_ seed fossils are known from Miocene of Siberia, Pliocene of Europe
and Pleistocene of Germany.[19] Pollen grains of _Alkekengi officinarum_ have
been found in early Pleistocene sediments in Ludham east of Wroxham, East
Anglia.[20]
** Taxonomic history
_Alkekengi officinarum_ was previously included in the genus _Physalis_ until
molecular and genetic evidence placed it as the type species of a new
genus.[21][22]
** References
[Reflist]
** External links
[Alkekengi officinarum]
- Alkekengi officinarum Moench (see https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:814247-1) Plants of the World Online . Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew .
[from1=Q43000697] [Authority control] [date=November 2018]
Category:Garden plants Category:Medicinal plants Category:Plants described in
1753 Category:Physaleae Category:Monotypic Solanaceae genera Category:Taxa
named by Conrad Moench