Genus: Physalis (Cape Gooseberry genus)

Life > eukaryotes > Archaeoplastida > Chloroplastida > Charophyta > Streptophytina > Plantae (land plants) > Tracheophyta (vascular plants) > Euphyllophyta > Lignophyta (woody plants) > Spermatophyta (seed plants) > Angiospermae (flowering plants) > Eudicotyledons > Core Eudicots > Asterids > Euasterid I > Order: Solanales > Family: Solanaceae

About 80 species, most of which are found in the New World. Eight species have become naturalised in southern Africa; an additional two species are cultivated in the region. The genus includes the Cape Gooseberry Physalis peruviana.

Species naturalised in southern Africa

List from Plants of southern Africa - an online checklist (SANBI), Flora of Zimbabwe and Flora of Mozambique.

Physalis angulata
Physalis ixocarpa Recorded from Zimbabwe. See Flora of Zimbabwe.
Physalis lagascae Recorded from Zimbabwe and Mozambique.
Physalis minima
Physalis peruviana (Cape gooseberry) See Flora of Zimbabwe.
Physalis philadelphica (Tomatillo, Jamberry)
Physalis pubescens (Huevo de sapo) Recorded from Mozambique.
Physalis viscosa

Other species, cultivated in southern Africa

List from Glen (2002).

Physalis alkekengi (Chinese lantern, Winter cherry) Native to Europe to Japan.
Physalis floridana Native to south-eastern USA.

Herbivores in southern Africa