| Home | Nature Weekly Index |
5 January 2025 | Physalis angulata | Bladder Cherry |
To commence the first post of the new year, I would like to introduce Bladder Cherry (Physalis angulata), a relatively rare and small herbaceous wild plant known for its distinctive lantern-shaped fruits.
Fig. 2: One-month old Bladder Cherry (Physalis angulata) plant |
First and foremost, the accepted botanical name in Singapore remains Physalis minima, as stated in the latest Singapore flora checklist published in 2022. Although I had previously adopted this name, I have since updated it to Physalis angulata because Physalis minima is considered a synonym according to the Plants of the World Online website. A recent taxonomic revision of Physalis species in Korea [1] has discontinued the use of Physalis minima that was previously used in several local publications. Additionally, an article from India published in 2007 [2] indicated that the "correct name for the widely known P. minima is P. lagascae". Furthermore, the Weeds of Australia website lists Physalis minima as a misapplied name of Physalis angulata. Finally, the iNaturalist website has also adopted the name Physalis angulata instead of Physalis minima.
I had intended to cultivate this plant in my pot for some time and finally planted its seeds on 27 November 2024. To ensure optimal growth conditions, I retained only two seedlings; one remained in the original pot, while the other was transferred to a new pot. The fruit from which the seeds were extracted was obtained from a wild plant observed along a roadside near a construction area in September of the previous year. A month later, the plant was removed due to grass-trimming activities. As the fruit was still green when collected, I waited several months for its outer papery husk (calyx) to turn brown before tearing it apart to access the rounded berry inside (Fig. 1). The fruit was then split to extract the seeds, which were embedded in a sticky pulp. Upon a quick count, there were close to a hundred seeds within the berry. A few years ago, I attempted to grow a young plant brought back from the wild, but it did not survive in the pot. Based on the two healthy young plants and the first flower bud already appearing on both, I am confident that this cultivation attempt will be successful (Fig. 2).
Fig. 1: Extracting of the seeds from a dried fruit of Bladder Cherry (Physalis angulata) and a seedling |
Bladder Cherry is recognized as a medicinal plant [3]. Historical confusion over its identity has created uncertainty regarding which species was referenced in previous publications. An article titled "Root Awakening", published in The Straits Times on 18 December 2020, indicated that the fruit is edible when fully ripe and contains a bright orange berry. Although I have not yet tasted the fruit, I plan to do so once a ripe one becomes available from my potted plant. It is important to emphasize that the green, unripe fruits and the plant itself are likely toxic if consumed raw.
Bladder Cherry is the second wild plant from the Solanaceae family that I have cultivated in my pots. The first one being Black Nightshade (Solanum americanum), which I still maintain as a mature, healthy specimen. Both species are equally rare in the wild. According to observations on the iNaturalist website, accessed on 5 January 2025, there were 33 sightings of Physalis angulata and 7 sightings of Solanum americanum in Singapore. In comparison, a very common wild weed such as Coat Button (Tridax procumbens) had 271 recorded observations in Singapore. A primary reason for the significantly greater distribution of Coat Button, which belongs to the Asteraceae family, when compared to the two species from the Solanaceae family, is the ease of their seed dispersion method.
I intend to compose a subsequent post regarding this plant once I have harvested the first fruit from the plants in my pots.
References:
[1] Kang ES, Kim JS, Lee MK, Lee KH, Son DC. Taxonomic revision of Physalis species (Solanaceae) in Korea. Korean J Plant Taxonomy 2024;54(3):175-192. | Read article |
[2] Vatsavaya SR, Reddy CS, Rajarao KG. The myth of “minima” and “maxima”, the species of Physalis in the Indian Subcontinent. J Syst Evol 2007;45(2):239-245. | Read article |
[3] Chothani DL, Vaghasiya HU. A phyto-pharmacological overview on Physalis minima Linn. Indian J Natural Products Resources 2012;3(4):477-482. | Read article |