Physalis viscosa L.

Arenas, Pastor & Kamienkowski, Nicolás Martín, 2013, Ethnobotany of the genus Physalis L. (Solanaceae) in the South American Gran Chaco, Candollea 68 (2), pp. 251-266 : 257-266

Physalis viscosa L.

Species from warm America, which has been naturalized in different countries; blooms in spring and summer and fructifies simultaneously until autumn ( Fig. 2 A, C, E ). A perennial herbaceous plant, with horizontal, thin rhizomes, which send out erect, branchy stalks of 10-40 cm in height ( MARZOCCA, 1957: 338; CABRERA, 1983: 445; HURRELL & al., 2010: 236). Grows in fertile, soft, humus-rich or sandy soils, and propagates by seeds and rhizomes. Frequently found in modified terrain (roads, ditches, fences, etc.) where more or less compact colonies may form, which make abundant gathering easier when they are ripe. It grows as a weed among crops, but it is also found in natural grasslands. It has been mentioned as a species that is “suspected” of causing food poisoning in animals ( MARZOCCA, 1957: 338-340).

The Lengua-Maskoy bake the fruits in embers or boil them before eating. There is an old saying among this ethnic group that claims that the fruit can turn those who eat it into liars, which is seen as being rather humorous today ( ARENAS, 1981: 302). This same human group also uses a liquid prepared from crushed leaves placed in water to treat conjunctivitis and other eye ailments; the liquid is dropped into the eyes ( ARENAS, 1981: 301, 302). The Nivaclé and the Maká eat the ripe fruits raw. The Maká report that they are the favourite of children, who gather them in their outings into the forest. Maká hunters also comment that it is a fruit much prized by the greater rhea or “ñandú” ( Rhea americana ). In the past, the Toba-Pilagá used to pick large quantities of the fruits, when they grew in abundance after the burning of fields. They claim that it is still eaten today despite the fact that it is not as common as it was in the past. They are eaten raw or mashed into a purée and seasoned by sprinkling ash over them ( ARENAS, 2003: 286). The natives of western Chaco recall that the Anglican missionaries from England who conducted evangelising work among the Toba- Pilagá and the Wichí for much of the 20th century used to prepare preserves with those fruits, and they tell that those of this species exceeded in quality those of other plants of the same genus. Both the Pilagá and the Toba from the East eat the ripe fruits raw, as we were able to observe in situ and as is mentioned by various other authors ( FRANZÉ, 1925: 14; MARTÍNEZ CROVETTO, 1964: 321; VUOTO, 1981: 22). VUOTO (1981: 22) adds that older Toba from the East would use it as a sweetener. Among the Wichí, this is the species of greatest use but specimens of other species of the genus ( P. angulata , P. pruinosa var. argentina and P. pubescens var hygrophila ) to which the same use is attributed were also gathered. The ripe fruits are eaten raw. This information was also recorded by other authors ( MARANTA, 1987: 186, 219; ARENAS, 2003; TORRES & al., 2007: 163, 166, 180). The last Vilela of Argentina’s Central Chaco, who have now disappeared, told MARTÍNEZ CROVETTO (1965: 22) that they used to eat the fruits, but they gave no further information.

For the Toba of the East and Criollos (members of a folk society from the Argentine provinces of Formosa and Chaco), Father FRANZÉ (1925: 14) says that the fruits also have a medicinal use as a diuretic, a febrifuge, they help prevent the formation of gallstones, and are useful for intestinal and pulmonary fevers. He adds that the leaves are frequently used in external poultices as a painkiller. Information of FRANZÉ (1925) is completely atypical in the context of the ethnobotany of the Toba of the East. One may wonder if the information was perhaps taken from the academic bibliography, since the catalogue was prepared by the priest for an exhibition held in the Vatican in 1925. In the Criollo environment of the eastern Chaco it is known by the name “camambú”. Its fruits are of a slightly acid taste and are eaten raw because they are thought to be refreshing, it also has medicinal applications ( FRANZÉ, 1925: 14; RAGONESE & MARTÍNEZ CROVETTO, 1947: 204; SCHULZ, 1963: 61-62). The Criollo of the west of Formosa name it “pocote” or “pocote ‘e perro”. Its ripe fruits are eaten raw by children, while the aerial parts are sought out by dogs that eat them as an emetic when they suffer from indigestion ( SCARPA, 2000: 265; ARENAS, 2003: 286).

The Mennonite settlers are another representative human group in the region, who have a clear influence in social, political and economic affairs at the heart of the Paraguayan Chaco. They began to arrive from central Europe and the former USSR in the 1930s, escaping from persecution. In an inhospitable environment they had to make the most of the natural space and the local plants available. Among other fruits, the species of Physalis were well used by housewives. The use of P. viscosa has been confirmed, but perhaps they make use of other plants of the same genus commonly found in the area. In their dialect - “Plautdietsch” - they are known as “Junitjoasche” (= June cherries) and they are used to prepare jams, compotes and several kinds of pies (“pee”), especially “Riebelplautz”, a Sunday pie which is similar to crumble.

Physalis viscosa L.

ARGENTINA. Prov. Formosa. Dpto Bermejo: El Churcal , 23º22 S 61º49 W, 15.XI.1985, Arenas 3040 ( BA) [Toba-pilagá indians]; La Rinconada , 23º29 S 61º34 W, 6.XII.1985, Arenas 3114 ( BA) [Tobapilagá indians]; La Rinconada , 23º29 S 61º34 W, 10.XII.1996, Scarpa 182 ( BA) [Criollo], La Rinconada , 23º29 S 61º34 W, 14.XII.1996, Scarpa 222 ( BA) [Criollo]; Pozo de Maza , 23°34 S 61°42 W, 30.III. 1999, Scarpa 382 ( BA) [Criollo]; Pozo de Maza , 23°34 S 61°42 W, 10.XI.1989, Arenas 3428 ( BA) [Wichí indians]. Dpto Matacos: Ing. Juárez , Toldería Toba , 1 km al N del pueblo, 23°53 S 61°51 W, 20.II.1983, Arenas 2229 ( BA) [Toba-pilagá indians]. Dpto Patiño: Pozo Navagán , reducción de indígenas pilagás, 24º15 S 60º00 W, 25.I.1982, Arenas 2023 ( BA) [Pilagá indians]. Dpto Pilagás: Misión Tacaaglé , 24°58 S 58°49 W, 27.IX.1979, Vuoto 1978 ( BACP, BA) [Toba from the East indians]; Misión Tacaaglé , 24°58 S 58°49 W, 12.X.1979, Vuoto 2056 ( BACP, BA) [Toba from the East indians]. Prov. Salta. Dpto Rivadavia: Alto de la Sierra , 22°44 S 62°30 W, 5.II.1984, Maranta 670 ( BA) [Wichí indians]; Misión La Paz , 22º24 S 62º30 W, 15.I.1982, Arenas 2107 ( BA) [Nivaclé indians]; Misión La Paz , 22º24 S 62º30 W, 12.I.1984, Arenas 2609 ( BA) [Choroti indians]; Misión La Paz , 22º24 S 62º30 W, 15.I.1982, Arenas 2107 ( BA) [Wichí indians]; J. Solá , Morillo , 23°28 S 62°53 W, 12.I.1983, Maranta & Arenas 102 ( BA) [Wichí indians]; J. Solá , Morillo , 23°28 S 62°53 W, 3.XII.2005, Suárez & Arenas 28 ( BA) [Wichí indians].

PARAGUAY. Dpto Presidente Hayes: Colonia Menno, Paratodo , 22°35 S 60°20 W, 30.I.1976, Arenas 1473 ( BA) [Lengua indians]; Colonia Menno, Paratodo , 22°35 S 60°20 W, XII.1974, Arenas 1088 ( BA) [Lengua indians]; Qemkuket, desvío a Puerto Falcón de la Ruta No. 9, 25°11 S 57°38 W, 30.XII.2009, Arenas 3735 ( FCQ) [Maká indians]; Gral. Bruguez, margen del río Pilcomayo , 24°45 S 58°50 W, 4.I.1980, Arenas s.n. ( BACP 1553 , BA) [Maká indians]; Estancia Loma Pyta, 23°40 S 59°35 W, 4.IV.1974, Arenas 566 ( BA) [Nivaclé indians]; Estancia Loma Pyta, 23°40 S 59°35 W, 9.XII.1978, Arenas s.n. ( BACP 676 , BA) [Nivaclé & Maká indians]. Capital Asunción: 25°16 S 57°38 W, 4.IX.1976, Schinini 13538 ( BA) [Criollo].

Physalis viscosa L.

“yateepé yaamit” [Lengua indians];

“maqane” [Maká indians]; “makaanni”, “makane”, “qa’ni” [Nivaclé indians];

“camambú” [Criollo; Paraguayan Chaco];

“pocote”, “pocote e’comer”, “pocote e’perro” [Argentinian Criollo];

“si’khyuste’lhoi”, “wo’ote’lhoi”, “sik’yus telhoy”, “wahat te’lhui”, “wuq’ute lhui” [Wichí indians];

“katoñi” [Toba from the East indians];

“qoto’ñi”, “qotoñi” [Toba-pilagá indians];

“qoto’ñi” [Pilagá indians]; “ka ni’i” [Choroti indians];

“bons(l)í” [Vilela Indians, Argentina, Prov. Chaco,

Resistencia] (Cf. MARTÍNEZ CROVETTO, 1965: 22).

Figures

Fig. 2. - Physalis viscosa L. A. A Maká Indian offers information about the plant; C. Ripe fruit with remains of the accrescent calyx; E. A Choroti Indian shows a branch of the plant. Physalis angulata L.; B, D. Branch with fruit. [Photos. A, E: P. Arenas; B-D: V. Friesen]