Incan Berries

''Physalis peruviana'' is a species of plant in the nightshade family (Solanaceae) native to Chile and Peru. Within that region, it is called aguaymanto, uvilla or uchuva, in addition to numerous indigenous and regional names. In English, its common names include Cape gooseberry, goldenberry and Peruvian groundcherry.

The history of ''Physalis peruviana'' cultivation in South America can be traced to the Inca Empire. It has been cultivated in England since the late 18th century, and in South Africa in the Cape of Good Hope since at least the start of the 19th century. Widely introduced in the 20th century, ''Physalis peruviana'' is now cultivated or grows wild across the world in temperate and tropical regions.

Taxonomy and common names

''Physalis peruviana'' was given a botanical species description by Carl Linnaeus in 1763. and given the genus name ''Physalis'' after the - physallís, “bladder, wind instrument” in reference to the calyx that surrounds the berry. The specific name ''peruviana'' refer to the country of Peru, one of the countries of the berry's origin.

In Peru, ''P. peruviana'' is known as in Spanish and in Quechua. In neighboring Colombia, it is known by its Aymara name as , and as ''uvilla'' (Spanish for 'little grape') in Ecuador.

It was grown in England in 1774 and by early settlers of the Cape of Good Hope before 1807. Whether it was grown there before its introduction to England is not known, but sources since the mid-19th century attribute the common English name "Cape gooseberry" to this fact. An alternative suggestion is that name refers to the calyx surrounding the fruit like a cape, possibly an example of false etymology, because it does not appear in publications earlier than the mid-20th century. Not long after its introduction to South Africa, ''P. peruviana'' was introduced to Australia, New Zealand and various Pacific islands. Despite its common name, it is not botanically related to the true gooseberries of the genus ''Ribes''.

Description

''P. peruviana'' is closely related to the tomatillo. As a member of the plant family Solanaceae, it is also more distantly related to a large number of edible plants, including tomatoes, eggplants, and potatoes.

''P. peruviana'' is an annual in temperate locations, but a perennial in the tropics. As a perennial, it develops into a diffusely branched shrub reaching in height, with spreading branches and velvety, heart-shaped leaves. The hermaphrodite flowers are bell-shaped and drooping, across, yellow with purple-brown spots internally. After the flower falls, the calyx expands, ultimately forming a beige husk fully enclosing the fruit.

The fruit is a round, smooth berry, resembling a miniature yellow tomato wide. Removed from its calyx, it is bright yellow to orange in color, and sweet when ripe, with a characteristic, mildly tart grape-like flavor.

A prominent feature is the inflated, papery calyx enclosing each berry. The calyx is accrescent until the fruit is fully grown; at first, it is of normal size, but after the petals fall, it continues to grow until it forms a protective cover around the growing fruit. If the fruit is left inside the intact calyx husks, its shelf life at room temperature is about 30–45 days. The calyx is inedible.

Nutrition

Raw Cape gooseberries are 85% water, 11% carbohydrates, 2% protein, and 1% fat (table). In a reference amount of , raw Cape gooseberries supply 53 calories and provide moderate levels (10–19% of the Daily Value) of niacin and vitamin C.

Analyses of oil from different berry components, primarily its seeds, showed that linoleic acid and oleic acid were the main fatty acids, beta-sitosterol and campesterol were principal phytosterols, and the oil contained vitamin K and beta-carotene.

Distribution and habitat

The center of genetic diversity for ''Physalis peruviana'' is in the Andes mountains of Ecuador, Chile, Colombia, and Peru. It grows in forests, forest edges, and riparian areas. It grows at high elevations of in its native region, but may also be found at sea level in Oceania and Pacific islands where it occurs widely in subtropical and warm, temperate conditions. Its latitude range is about 45°S to 60°N, and its altitude range is generally from sea level to . The plant has become invasive in some natural habitats, forming thickets, particularly in Hawaii and on other Pacific islands. There are believed to be dozens of ecotypes worldwide that differentiated by plant size, calyx shape, and the size, color, and flavor of the fruit. Wild forms are thought to be diploid with 2''n'' = 24 chromosomes, while cultivated forms include varieties with increased ploidy and 32 or 48 chromosomes.

Cultivation

It has been widely introduced into cultivation in tropical, subtropical, and temperate areas such as Australia, China, India, Malaysia, and the Philippines. ''P. peruviana'' thrives at an annual average temperature from , tolerating temperatures as high as . It grows well in Mediterranean climates and is hardy to USDA hardiness zone 8, meaning it can be damaged by frost. It grows well in rainfall amounts of if the soil is well drained, and prefers full sun or partial shade in well-drained soil, and grows vigorously in sandy loam.

The plant is readily grown from seeds, which are abundant (100 to 300 in each fruit), but with low germination rates, requiring thousands of seeds to sow a hectare. Plants grown from year-old stem cuttings will flower early and yield well, but are less vigorous than those grown from seed.

Pests and diseases

In South Africa, cutworms attack the Cape gooseberry in seedbeds, red spiders in the field, and potato tuber moths near potato fields. Hares damage young plants, and birds eat the fruits. Mites, whiteflies and flea beetles can also be problematic. Powdery mildew, soft brown scale, root rot and viruses may affect plants. In New Zealand, plants can be infected by ''Candidatus'' ''Liberibacter solanacearum''.

Uses

Culinary

''P. peruviana'' is an economically useful crop as an exotic exported fruit, and is favored in breeding and cultivation programs of many countries. ''P. peruviana'' fruits are marketed in the United States as ''goldenberry'' and sometimes ''Pichuberry'', named after Machu Picchu in order to associate the fruit with its cultivation in Peru.

Cape gooseberries are made into fruit-based sauces, pies, puddings, chutneys, jams and ice cream, or eaten fresh in salads and fruit salads. In Latin America, it is often consumed as a ''batido'' or smoothie, and because of its showy husk, it is used in restaurants as a decorative garnish for desserts. To enhance its food uses, hot air drying improves qualities of dietary fiber content, texture and appearance.

In basic research on fruit maturation, the content of polyphenols and vitamin C varied by cultivar, harvest time, and ripening stage.

Potential for toxicity

Unripe raw fruits, flowers, leaves, and stems of the plant contain solanine and solanidine alkaloids that may cause poisoning if ingested by humans, cattle or horses.

See also

*''Physalis pubescens'' (a closely related species with sprouts that are noticeably less hairy)

References

{{Taxonbar, from=Q165227

peruviana
Edible Solanaceae
Berries
Fruit vegetables
Crops originating from South America
Taxa named by Carl Linnaeus
Plants described in 1763