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Synonyms: |
Physalis somnifera L. |
Common names: | Poison gooseberry (English) Winter cherry (English) |
Frequency: | Frequent |
Status: | Native per POWO |
Description: |
Erect subshrub or woody based perennial to 1.5 m. Stems tomentose. Leaves: lamina 4-10 × 3-7 cm, ovate, stellate-tomentose, glabrescent; base cuneate; margin entire. Flowers 4-16 in a cluster. Corolla greenish, tomentose externally. Fruit a berry, 8-10 mm in diameter, spherical, glossy, scarlet, enclosed within an enlarged accrescent calyx, c. 2 cm in fruit. |
Notes: | This species is rather similar to a Physalis, but can be easily distinguished by the flowers occurring in clusters. |
Derivation of specific name: | somnifera: sleep-bearing or -producing |
Habitat: | Roadsides, disturbed ground, termite mounds, open woodland and riverine vegetation. |
Altitude range: (metres) | |
Flowering time: | |
Worldwide distribution: | Native from Europe south through Africa to South Africa and from the Middle East to India and southern China. |
Zimbabwe distribution: | N,W,C,E,S |
Growth form(s): | |
Endemic status: | |
Red data list status: | |
Insects associated with this species: | |
Spot characters: | Display spot characters for this species |
Images last updated: | Wednesday 11 July 2012 |
Literature: |
Chapano, C. & Mugarisanwa, N.H. (2003). Plants of the Matobo District National Herbarium and Botanic Garden, Zimbabwe Page 37. Da Silva, M.C., Izidine, S. & Amude, A.B. (2004). A preliminary checklist of the vascular plants of Mozambique. Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report No. 30 Sabonet, Pretoria Page 111. Gonçalves, A.E. (2005). Solanaceae Flora Zambesiaca 8(4) Pages 56 - 58. (Includes a picture). Heath, A. & Heath, R. (2009). Field Guide to the Plants of Northern Botswana including the Okavango Delta Kew Publishing Page 110. (Includes a picture). Kirby, G. (2013). Wild Flowers of Southeast Botswana Struik Nature, Cape Town South Africa Page 117. (Includes a picture). Mapaura, A. & Timberlake, J. (eds) (2004). A checklist of Zimbabwean vascular plants Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report No. 33 Sabonet, Pretoria and Harare Page 80. Phiri, P.S.M. (2005). A Checklist of Zambian Vascular Plants Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report No. 32 Page 100. Pooley, E. (1998). A Field Guide to the Wild Flowers of KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Region. Natal Flora Publications Trust. Durban. Pages 72 - 73. (Includes a picture). Setshogo, M.P. (2005). Preliminary checklist of the plants of Botswana. Sabonet Report no. 37. Sabonet, Pretoria and Gaborone Page 106. Wild, H. (1955). Common Rhodesian Weeds Government of Rhodesia, Salisbury Page 91. (Includes a picture). |
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