Chinese lantern plant

Physalis alkekengi

''Physalis alkekengi'' , is a relative of ''P. peruviana'' , easily identifiable by the larger, bright orange to red papery covering over its fruit, which resemble paper lanterns. It is native from southern Europe east across southern Asia to Japan. It is an herbaceous perennial plant growing to 40–60 cm tall, with spirally arranged leaves 6–12 cm long and 4–9 cm broad. The flowers are white, with a five-lobed corolla 10–15 mm across, with an inflated basal calyx which matures into the papery orange fruit covering, 4–5 cm long and broad.
Chinese lantern  Bulgaria,Geotagged,Physalis alkekengi

Uses

The dried fruit of ''Physalis alkekengi'' is called Kaknaj in the Unani system of medicine, and used as a diuretic, antiseptic, liver corrective, and sedative.

Cultural

In Japan, its seeds are used as part of the Bon Festival as offerings to guide the souls of the deceased. There is also an annual market dedicated to the flower called ''hōzuki-ichi'' which occurs every year in Asakusa around Sensō-ji every year on July 9 and 10.

References:

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Status: Unknown
EX EW CR EN VU NT LC
Taxonomy
KingdomPlantae
DivisionAngiosperms
ClassEudicots
OrderSolanales
FamilySolanaceae
GenusPhysalis
Species
Photographed in
Bulgaria