Introduction of Jin Deng Long: Franchet Groundcherry Fruit
✵The article records the herb Franchet Groundcherry Fruit, including its English name, Latin name, Pinyin name, properties and flavor, botanical source—namely one plant species, (1) Physalis alkekengi L. var. francheti (Mast.) Makino—and provides a detailed introduction to the botanical features, growth characteristics, and ecological environment of this plant species, as well as the characteristics of the herb Franchet Groundcherry Fruit, its pharmacological actions, medicinal efficacy, and administration guidelines.
Calyx seu Fructus Physalis (Franchet Groundcherry Fruit)
Pinyin Name: Jǐn Dēnɡ Lóng
English Name: Franchet Groundcherry Fruit
Latin Name:Calyx seu Fructus Physalis Properties and Flavor: cold, bitter
Brief Introduction: The herb Calyx seu Fructus Physalis consists of the dried persistent calyx, with or without the fruit, of winter cherry, Physalis alkekengi L. var. francheti (Mast.) Makino, and is used chiefly for treating sore throat. It is commonly known as Calyx seu Fructus Physalis, Franchet Groundcherry Fruit, and Jǐn Dēnɡ Lóng.
Botanical Source: Common herbal classics define the herb Calyx seu Fructus Physalis (Franchet Groundcherry Fruit) as the dried persistent calyx, with or without the fruit, of (1) Physalis alkekengi L. var. francheti (Mast.) Makino—a plant of the genus Physalis, family Solanaceae (nightshade family), order Solanales. It is commonly known as Calyx seu Fructus Physalis and Jǐn Dēnɡ Lóng. This commonly used species is described below:
(1) Physalis alkekengi L. var. francheti (Mast.) Makino
Botanical Description:Physalis alkekengi L. var. francheti (Mast.) Makino is also known as Physalis francheti Mast. or Physalis francheti Mast. var. bungardii Makino—a variety of Physalis alkekengi L. It is a perennial herb whose base often bears procumbent roots. The stem is about 40–80 cm tall; the base is slightly ligneous (woody). Leaves are alternate, often two leaves arising from one node; petioles are about 1–3 cm long; leaf blades are ovate-oblong to broadly ovate, 5–15 cm long and 2–8 cm wide; the apex is acuminate; the base is asymmetrical and narrowly cuneate, decurrent onto the petiole; margins are entire and undulate or coarsely serrate; both surfaces are softly pilose, with short hirsute hairs along the veins.
Flowers arise in the leaf axils; pedicels are 6–16 mm long—erect during flowering, later recurved (curving downward), densely covered with pubescence, and persistent in the fruiting stage. The calyx is broadly campanulate (broadly bell-shaped), densely pubescent, 5-lobed; calyx teeth are triangular; the hypanthium (floral tube) enlarges after flowering, turning orange-red or crimson (deep red), lantern-shaped, and enclosing the berry. The corolla is rotate, white, 5-lobed; lobes are spreading, broad and short, with apices abruptly narrowing to triangular tips; the outer surface is pubescent. There are five stamens; anthers are pale yellowish-green. The ovary is superior, ovoid, and bilocular.
Berries are globular (spherical), salmon-colored (orange-red), 10–15 mm in diameter, soft and juicy. Seeds are reniform and primrose yellow (pale yellow). Flowering occurs from May to September; fruiting occurs from June to October.
The variety Physalis alkekengi L. var. francheti (Mast.) Makino is morphologically similar to Physalis alkekengi L., differing mainly in the following respects: pedicels are glabrate or sparsely hairy; calyx lobes are densely pubescent, whereas the hypanthium (calyx tube) is sparsely pubescent; the fruit stalk and fruit calyx become smooth and glabrous upon fruit maturity.
Ecological Environment: The plant grows near villages, along roadsides, in open fields, on hillsides or mountain slopes, and at forest edges; it is also cultivated.
Growth Characteristics: The plant prefers a warm and humid climate but is cold-tolerant, growing normally within a temperature range of 3–42 °C (37.4–107.6 °F), and can thrive in northern regions with slightly cooler climates. It is best cultivated in fertile, well-drained sandy loam or clay loam soils.
Characteristics of the Herb: The persistent calyx of the herb is enlarged and thin, slightly lantern-shaped, often wrinkled or compressed, 2.5–4.5 cm long and 2–4 cm in diameter; the surface is salmon-colored (orange-red) or pea-green (pale green), with five distinct longitudinal ridges and reticulated veinlets between them; the apex is acuminate and slightly 5-lobed; the base is concave and bears a slender carpopodium (fruit stalk). The herb is light, flexible, and hollow—or contains a nearly spherical berry about 1.2 cm in diameter, saffron-yellow or red-orange in color, with a shriveled surface and numerous seeds. The seeds are minute, oblate, and yellowish-brown. The herb has a faint odor; the persistent calyx tastes bitter, while the fruit tastes slightly sweet and slightly sour.
Pharmacological Actions: (1) Anticancer activity; (2) Bacteriostatic activity: fresh fruit juice inhibits the growth of Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
Medicinal Efficacy: Clears heat and detoxifies; clears lung-heat and soothes sore throat; resolves phlegm; promotes diuresis and alleviates edema. It is indicated for sore throat, pharyngeal abscess, hoarseness, heat-phlegm cough, lung-heat cough with sputum, tidal fever due to yin deficiency (e.g., bone-steaming fever and consumptive fever), dribbling urination, urinary difficulty, dysuria, and damp sores. Externally, it is used for pemphigus and eczema.
Administration of Calyx seu Fructus Physalis (Jǐn Dēnɡ Lóng):
Reference:
Administration Guide for Calyx seu Fructus Physalis (Jǐn Dēnɡ Lóng)
TCM Books:
(1) Internally: 5–9 grams; external use: appropriate amount, applied as a paste. (2) Internally: water decoction, 4.5–9 grams; external use: appropriate amount, mashed and applied as a paste, or used as a wash with decoction.
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1.Introduction of Jin Deng Long: Franchet Groundcherry Fruit
✵The article records the herb Franchet Groundcherry Fruit, including its English name, Latin name, Pinyin name, properties and flavor, botanical source—namely one plant species, (1) Physalis alkekengi L. var. francheti (Mast.) Makino—and provides a detailed introduction to the botanical features, growth characteristics, and ecological environment of this plant species, as well as the characteristics of the herb Franchet Groundcherry Fruit, its pharmacological actions, medicinal efficacy, and administration guidelines.
Pinyin Name: Jǐn Dēnɡ Lóng
Botanical Description: Physalis alkekengi L. var. francheti (Mast.) Makino is also known as Physalis francheti Mast. or Physalis francheti Mast. var. bungardii Makino—a variety of Physalis alkekengi L. It is a perennial herb whose base often bears procumbent roots. The stem is about 40–80 cm tall; the base is slightly ligneous (woody). Leaves are alternate, often two leaves arising from one node; petioles are about 1–3 cm long; leaf blades are ovate-oblong to broadly ovate, 5–15 cm long and 2–8 cm wide; the apex is acuminate; the base is asymmetrical and narrowly cuneate, decurrent onto the petiole; margins are entire and undulate or coarsely serrate; both surfaces are softly pilose, with short hirsute hairs along the veins.
Flowers arise in the leaf axils; pedicels are 6–16 mm long—erect during flowering, later recurved (curving downward), densely covered with pubescence, and persistent in the fruiting stage. The calyx is broadly campanulate (broadly bell-shaped), densely pubescent, 5-lobed; calyx teeth are triangular; the hypanthium (floral tube) enlarges after flowering, turning orange-red or crimson (deep red), lantern-shaped, and enclosing the berry. The corolla is rotate, white, 5-lobed; lobes are spreading, broad and short, with apices abruptly narrowing to triangular tips; the outer surface is pubescent. There are five stamens; anthers are pale yellowish-green. The ovary is superior, ovoid, and bilocular.
The variety Physalis alkekengi L. var. francheti (Mast.) Makino is morphologically similar to Physalis alkekengi L., differing mainly in the following respects: pedicels are glabrate or sparsely hairy; calyx lobes are densely pubescent, whereas the hypanthium (calyx tube) is sparsely pubescent; the fruit stalk and fruit calyx become smooth and glabrous upon fruit maturity.
Growth Characteristics: The plant prefers a warm and humid climate but is cold-tolerant, growing normally within a temperature range of 3–42 °C (37.4–107.6 °F), and can thrive in northern regions with slightly cooler climates. It is best cultivated in fertile, well-drained sandy loam or clay loam soils.
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