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Physalis virginiana
Physalis virginiana
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Magnoliophyta
(unranked):	Magnoliopsida
(unranked):	Asteridae
Order:	Solanales
Family:	Solanaceae
Genus:	Physalis
Species:	P. virginiana
Binomial name
Physalis virginiana L.

Physalis virginiana ( Virginia Ground Cherry), is a rhizomatous perennial with a deeply buried stem base. Each base typically supports one to six hairy stems that are forked with ascending branches. It leaves are palish green and lance shaped. Small greenish flowers grow on each of its stems. The flowers form a five angled bladder like structure that surrounds the plants half inch diameter sized fruit. It has been found to grow in height from 8 to 12 inches .It is found mostly in eastern North America as far west as Wyoming.

Cultivation

The Virginia Ground Cherry is mostly found from early July to September in native areas. It prefers moist slightly sandy soil where grazing is light.. The Virginia Ground Cherry along with other members of the Physalis genus have been found to be an invasive species. A specific example of the invasive capabilities of Physalis virginiana is its effect on soy bean production in Kentucky. The berries are often crushed during the soy bean harvest which allows the Physalis seeds to cling to the soybean seeds.Certification standards for soy bean production requires that no more than 62/ha black nightshade or ground cherry plants should be found at inspection,entry for.This problem has lead to scientific studies on ways to reduce black nightshade and ground cherry populations around soybean farms. One such study found that germination of these plants were reduced in the dark and in lower pH substrates. The ground cherry plants were found to be less affected by moisture reduction . The hybridization potential of Physalis virginiana has also been studied. One such study found that the Physalis Virginiana population was decreasing in an area as a hybrid of Physalis virginiana and Physalis heterophylla. The researchers believed that the increased hybridization of Physalis virginiana is possibly due to scarcity of Physalis Virginiana pollen. Another possibility they gave was that the hybrid plants may be better suited for certain environments.

Traditional uses

Native Americans traditionally various Physalis species for eye infections,treationg open wounds, and gastrointestinal symptoms.

Medicinal Potential

Physalis species are now studied for there potential health benefits. One study done specifically on Physalis virginiana was intended to investigate the antibacterial potential of Physalis virginiana. The overall purpose of this study was to identify the chemical compounds of Physalis virginiana that could be used to make antibiotics. The researchers introduced extracts from the plant to twelve different bacteria cultures. They found that extracts from the plant inhibited the growth of eight out of the twelve strains of bacteria. The identified the chemical compound in the plant that inhibits bacteria growth to be withanolide. The whole plant showed bacteria inhibiting properties but extracts from the shoots of the plants had the most effect ,and extracts from the roots of the plant showed the least effect.