Introduction of Jin Deng Long:Franchet Groundcherry Fruit or Calyx seu Fructus Physalis.

TCM Herbalism:Medicinals and Classifications. ✵The article gives records of the herb Franchet Groundcherry Fruit, its English name, Latin name, property and flavor, its botanical source one plant species, ①.Physalis alkekengi L.var.francheti (Mast.) Makino., with a detailed introduction to the botanical features of this plant species, the growth characteristics, and ecological environment of this plant species, the features of the herb Franchet Groundcherry Fruit, its pharmacological actions, medicinal efficacy, and administration guide.

Calyx seu Fructus Physalis(Franchet Groundcherry Fruit).

orange-colored dried herb of Franchet Groundcherry Fruit Pin Yin Name: Jǐn Dēnɡ Lóng.
 English Name: Franchet Groundcherry Fruit.
 Latin Name: Calyx seu Fructus Physalis.
 Property and flavor: cold, bitter.

 Brief introduction: The herb Calyx seu Fructus Physalis is the dried persistent calyx or with the fruit of winter cherry, Physalis alkekengi L.var.francheti (Mast.) Makino., used chiefly for treating sore throat. The herb is commonly known as Calyx seu Fructus Physalis, Franchet Groundcherry Fruit, Jǐn Dēnɡ Lóng.

 Botanical source: Common herbal classics defined the herb Calyx seu Fructus Physalis (Franchet Groundcherry Fruit) as the dried persistent calyx or with the fruit of (1). Physalis alkekengi L.var.francheti (Mast.) Makino., it is a plant of the Physaliphorous Genus, the Solanaceae family (nightshade family, potato family) of the Tubiflorae order. It is commonly known as Calyx seu Fructus Physalis, Jǐn Dēnɡ Lóng. This commonly used species is introduced:

(1).Physalis alkekengi L.var.francheti (Mast.) Makino.


 fruiting plants of Physalis alkekengi L.var.franchetii Mast.Makino. with several pendulous orange-red fruits Botanical description: Physalis alkekengi L.var.francheti (Mast.) Makino is also known as Physalis francheti Mast., or Physalis francheti Mast.var.bungardii Makino., a varietas of Physalis alkekengi L. Physalis alkekengi L, it is a perennial herb, its base often has procumbent roots. The stem is about 40~80 cm high, the base is slightly ligneous (woody). Leaves are alternate, often 2 leaves grow on one node; petioles are about 1~3 cm long; leaf blades are ovate-oblong to broadly ovate, 5~15 cm long, 2~8 cm wide, the apex is acuminate, the base is asymmetrical narrowly cuneate, decurrent to petiole, entire and undulated or coarsely serrate, both surfaces have soft pilose, short hirsute along leaf veins.

 fruiting plants of Physalis alkekengi L.var.franchetii Mast.Makino with green leaves and four pendulous orange-colored fruits Flowers grow in the leaf axil, and pedicels are 6~16 mm long, upright in the flowering phase, later recurved (curve downward), densely covered with fluff, and not fall off in the fruit phase; the calyx is broadly campanulate (broadly bell-shaped), densely covered with fluff, 5-lobed, calyx teeth is triangular, hypanthium (floral tube) is enlarged after flowering, turns to orange-red or crimson (deep red), lantern-shaped and wrap the berry; corolla is rotated, white, 5-lobed, lobes spread, broad and short, the apex is suddenly narrowing to a triangular tip, outside has pubescence; 5 stamens, anthers are pale yellowish-green; the ovary is superior, ovoid, 2-loculed.

 Berries are globular (spheric shape), salmon color (orange-red), 10~15 mm in diameter, soft and juicy. Seeds are reniform, primrose yellow (pale yellow). Its flowering period is from May to September, and the fruiting period is from June to October.

 several fruiting plants of Physalis alkekengi L.var.franchetii Mast.Makino. grow in field, with several pendulous yellow greenish fruits hanging on branches The varietas species Physalis alkekengi L.var.francheti (Mast.) Makino. is similar in plant morphological characters to Physalis alkekengi L., the main differences are: pedicels are glabrate or only have sparse hairs, and calyx lobes have dense hairs, but hypanthium (calyx tube) has sparse hairs; fruit stalk and fruit calyx are smooth and turn glabrous when fruits are mature.

 Ecological environment: The plant grows near villages, roadsides, open fields, hillsides or mountain slopes, and forest edges; it is also cultivated. The plant mainly grows in the upper reaches of the Yellow River, the middle reaches of the Yangtze River, southwest area of China. The plant is also distributed in other areas of the Asia-Europe continent.

 fruiting plants of Physalis alkekengi L.var.franchetii Mast.Makino., with two pendulous green fruits and one yellowing fruits hanging on branches Growth characteristics: The plant prefers a warm and humid climate, but it is tolerant to cold, it can grow normally in the temperature range of 3~42 °C (Celsius, or 37.4~107.6 degrees Fahrenheit), and could grow in a northern area with a slightly colder climate. It is appropriate to choose fertile, sandy loam or clay loam with good drainage for cultivation.

 Characters of herbs: The herb persistent calyx is enlarged and thin, slightly lantern-shaped, often wizzled or squashed, 2.5~4.5 cm long, and 2~4 cm in diameter; the surface is salmon color (orange-red) or pea green (pale green), with 5 distinct longitudinal edges, and reticulated veinlets between the edges, the apex is acuminate, slightly 5-lobed, the base is concave, has thin carpopodium (fruit stalks). The herb is light, flexible, hollow, or with a near-spherical berry inside, about 1.2 cm in diameter, saffron yellow or red-orange, the surface is shriveled, and it contains many seeds. The seeds are tiny, oblate, and yellowish-brown. The herb has a slight odor, the persistent calyx tastes bitter, and the fruit tastes slightly sweet and slightly sour. The herb of a better grade is big, bright red.

 Pharmacological actions: ①.anticancer activity; ②.bacteriostasic activity: fresh fruit juice can inhibit the growth of Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

 Medicinal efficacy: Clear heat and detoxify, clearing away the lung-heat and relieve sore throat, reduce phlegm, diuretic and alleviate water retention. It is indicated for sore throat, abscess of throat, hoarse voice, heat phlegm and cough, lung heat and productive cough, hectic fever due to yin and consumptive fever (bone steaming and over-strained fever), dribbling urination and difficulty in urination, dysuria (difficulty in micturition), wet sore. External for the treatment of pemphigus, eczema.

 Administration of Calyx seu Fructus Physalis (Jǐn Dēnɡ Lóng): 
 
Reference: Administration Guide of Calyx seu Fructus Physalis (Jǐn Dēnɡ Lóng)
TCM Books: ①.Internally:5~9 grams. Externally:proper amount,apply stick; ②.Internally: water decoction, 4.5~9 grams. Externally: proper amount, mashed and apply stick, or wash with water decoction.

 

 
  

 

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References:
  • 1.Introduction of Jin Deng Long:Franchet Groundcherry Fruit or Calyx seu Fructus Physalis.

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