Plants of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

Scientific Name Physalis peruviana L.
Family  
Other Names Poha, Cape gooseberry, pa`ina (Hawai`i)
Status Indigenous
Distribution & Habitat Grows in the elevation range from 450 to 2,020 m.  It is found on all the main islands except Ni`ihau and Kaho`olawe.

This is a widely cultivated plant in warm temperate areas. In Hawai`i, it is found in disturbed sites in a variety of ecological zones, from mesic to wet forests and even to subalpine woodlands (Wagner, et al. 19XX: 1265).
Locations in this Guide  
General Appearance
This is a shrub that reaches 1 m (3 ft).

It is short lived and gets straggly with age (Wagner, et al. 19XX: 1265).
Leaves
Leaves may be up to 6 cm long and 4 cm wide (Wagner, et al. 19XX: 1265).
Flowers & Fruits
The flowers are 1.5 to 2 cm in diameter and are enclosed in an inflated calyx that is 3 to 3.5 cm in diameter. 

The corolla is yellow with prominent brown spots at the base.
There are numerous pale brown seeds, each about 2 mm long.
Phenology
Natural History
Conservation
Miscellaneous Photos
Other Notes Wagner, et al. (19XX) report Degener's observation that this species was naturalized before 1825.

The berries are used to make jam (Wagner, et al. 19XX: 1265).
References
Links to Other Sites
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Last Updated: 08/10/03

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