Husk-tomato (Physalis philadelphica, Encycl. 2:101. 1786)

Family: Solanaceae

Author: Lam.

Bibliography: Encycl. 2:101. 1786

Year: 1786

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Physalis

Vegetable: True

Observations: Mexico to C. America, Cuba to Haiti

Description

Husk-tomato, scientifically known as Physalis philadelphica, is a fascinating plant belonging to the Solanaceae family. The species was first described in 1786 by the botanist Lam., and it is documented in volume 2, page 101 of the Encyclopedia from that year.

This plant has an interesting geographical spread, thriving primarily in regions extending from Mexico to Central America. Additionally, it is found in the Caribbean, spanning from Cuba to Haiti. Such a distribution underscores its adaptability to various tropical climates and slightly different ecological conditions.

The husk-tomato is notable for its distinctive fruit, which is encased in a papery husk, a feature that differentiates it from more common tomatoes. The fruits are typically green but can take on a range of hues as they mature, often transitioning to shades of yellow or purple. These fruits are not only a culinary delight in many traditional dishes across its native range but also hold cultural significance in several communities.

Moreover, the plant plays a considerable role in local agriculture, being cultivated both for its delicious fruits and for its potential medicinal properties. In various cultures throughout its range, different parts of the plant have been used in folk medicine, a testament to its long-standing integration into human livelihoods.

Given its wide range and utility, the husk-tomato is a plant of considerable interest to botanists, agriculturists, and those intrigued by ethnobotany. Its resilience and multifunctional uses position it as a key species within the ecosystems and cultures where it is found.

Common Names

Fra: coqueret de philadelphie, alkékenge du mexique, coqueret, tomate fraise
Lit: filadelfinė dumplūnė
Eng: husk-tomato, large-flower tomatillo, mexican groundcherry, tomatillo ground-cherry, large-flowered tomatillo
Deu: philadelphia-blasenkirsche, mexikanische blasenkirsche
Dan: tomatillo
Spa: miltomate, tomate, tomate de cáscara, tomate verde, tomatillo
Ces: mochyně dužnoplodá
Swe: tomatillo
En: Husk-tomato, Tomatillo ground-cherry, Large-flower tomatillo, Mexican groundcherry, Tomatillo, Mexican Ground-Cherry, Large-flowered Tomatillo
Ar: التوماتيلو
Be: Мексіканскі тамат
Zh: 黏果酸浆, 黏果酸漿
Cs: Mochyně dužnoplodá
Da: Tomatillo
Nl: Tomatillo
Et: Mehhiko füüsal
Fi: Tomatillo
Fr: Coqueret, Alkékenge du Mexique, Tomate fraise, Tomatille, Coqueret de Philadelphie
De: Mexikanische Blasenkirsche, Philadelphia-Blasenkirsche
He: טומטילו
Hu: Mexikói földicseresznye
Kk: Физалис жаңғағы
Ko: 토마티요
Lt: Filadelfinė dumplūnė
Fa: فیسالیس بنفش
Pl: Miechunka pomidorowa
Ru: Физалис овощной
Sk: Tomatillo
Es: Miltomate, Tomate, Tomate de cáscara, Tomate verde, Tomatillo
Sv: Tomatillo
Ta: சிறு தக்காளி
Zh-hant: 黏果酸漿

Synonyms

• Physalis chenopodiifolia (Willd.)
• Physalis philadelphica f. pilosa (Waterf.)
• Physalis violacea (Carrière)
• Physalis megistocarpa (Zuccagni)
• Physalis laevigata (M.Martens & Galeotti)
• Physalis geniculata ((M.Martens & Galeotti) Miers)
• Physalis mexicana (Molina ex Colla)
• Physalis angulata var. philadelphica ((Lam.) A.Gray)
• Physalis ovata (Poir.)
• Physalis cavaleriei (H.Lév.)
• Saracha geniculata (M.Martens & Galeotti)
• Physalis atriplicifolia (Poir.)
• Physalis philadelphica var. minor (Dunal)
• Physalis megistocarpos (Zuccagni)

Distribution

• Belize (native)
• Cuba (native)
• El Salvador (native)
• Guatemala (native)
• Haiti (native)
• Honduras (native)
• Mexico Central (native)
• Mexico Gulf (native)
• Mexico Northeast (native)
• Mexico Northwest (native)
• Mexico Southeast (native)
• Mexico Southwest (native)
• Panamá (native)
• Angola (introduced)
• Arizona (introduced)
• Belgium (introduced)
• Bulgaria (introduced)
• Central European Rus (introduced)
• Czechoslovakia (introduced)
• Greece (introduced)
• Illinois (introduced)
• Kentucky (introduced)
• Kenya (introduced)
• KwaZulu-Natal (introduced)
• Leeward Is. (introduced)
• Manchuria (introduced)
• Maryland (introduced)
• Morocco (introduced)
• New South Wales (introduced)
• New York (introduced)
• Portugal (introduced)
• Queensland (introduced)
• Spain (introduced)
• Sudan (introduced)
• Turkey (introduced)
• Ukraine (introduced)
• Vermont (introduced)
• Victoria (introduced)
• Western Australia (introduced)
• Wisconsin (introduced)
• Yugoslavia (introduced)
• Zambia (introduced)
• Zimbabwe (introduced)

Additional Images

Habit

Taken Jul 24, 2014 by EOL − Larry Swift (cc-by-nc)

Taken Apr 27, 2014 by EOL − heyitsvanessa5 (cc-by-nc)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Gerrit Davidse (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Sep 11, 2022 by Fabrice Rubio (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 11, 2022 by Fabrice Rubio (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Sep 12, 2021 by Chris Burton (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 10, 2022 by Ahamed Balde (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 28, 2021 by Bonne Eigenhuis (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 11, 2022 by Fabrice Rubio (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 11, 2020 by Marco Kurz (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Jun 25, 2021 by Debbie Hayes (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 8, 2022 by barry (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 11, 2022 by Fabrice Rubio (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 11, 2022 by Fabrice Rubio (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 15, 2019 by huy HO (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Sep 21, 2021 by Irmgard Groß (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 21, 2021 by Irmgard Groß (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 2, 2021 by Giovanni Vannacci (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 31, 2020 by Diana (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 31, 2020 by Jennifer wender (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken May 23, 2020 by Aaron Harp (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 15, 2019 by huy HO (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Aug 25, 2017 by Tara Conler (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 5, 2020 by Roger Biggins (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 10, 2021 by González Yessenia (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 24, 2022 by González Yessenia (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 11, 2022 by Fabrice Rubio (cc-by-sa)

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/8969026)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:817532-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Physalis philadelphica Lam.)

Specifications

Growth habit>: Forb/herb

Growth