Physalis pubescens

Location: Copilot

Flower name
Physalis pubescens
Scientific name
Physalis pubescens
Alias千成酸漿, フウリンホオズキ, ナガエノセンナリホオズキ
Place of originPeru
Place of floweringFields and footpaths, Field
Flowering seasonAugust, September, October

What is Physalis pubescens

Husk tomato (Japanese name: Sennari-hozuki, Scientific name: Physalis pubescens) is an annual herb in the genus Physalis of the family Solanaceae, native to tropical America. It is also known by other Japanese names such as Nagaeno-sennari-hozuki (Long-stalked Sennari-hozuki) and Furin-hozuki (Wind chime hozuki). In Japan, it is a naturalized plant found as a weed in fields and roadsides.

Difference between Physalis pubescens and Physalis angulata

Although they resemble each other: Physalis pubescens (Sennari-hozuki) has narrower leaves and longer pedicels (flower stalks) (3-7 cm). Physalis angulata (Hiroha-furin-hozuki) has wider leaves and shorter pedicels (1 cm).

Origin of the Name

The Japanese name "Sennari-hozuki" comes from the fact that it produces many small fruits resembling Hozuki (Ground cherry) in clusters ("Sennari" literally means "bearing a thousand fruits").

General Name: Husk tomato (Sennari-hozuki)
Scientific Name: Physalis pubescens Aliases: Nagaeno-sennari-hozuki, Furin-hozuki
Classification: Kingdom Plantae, Angiosperms, Eudicots, Solanales, Solanaceae, genus Physalis, species Physalis pubescens
Origin: Tropical America Distribution in Japan: Honshu to Shikoku, Kyushu, Okinawa Environment: Roadsides and fields Life Form: Annual wildflower, Naturalized plant Plant Height: 20-60 cm Leaf Shape: Ovate Leaf Margin: Serrated Flowering Period: August-October Flower Diameter: 0.8 cm Flower Color: Pale yellow Flowering Direction: Downward Fruiting Period: August-October
Fruit Type: Berry Fruit Diameter: 1 cm Fruit Shape: Spherical Fruit Color: Green, enclosed in a calyx Edibility: Not suitable
Note: The entire plant contains toxic alkaloids (such as solanine).