Abstract
Abstract Global food security challenges are driving renewed interest in neglected and underutilized crops with high nutritional and agronomic potential. The genus Physalis includes more than 95 species, yet only Physalis peruviana is commercially exploited despite the presence of at least 15 wild sweet Physalis (WSP) species traditionally consumed across the American continent. These species represent a rich but underexplored reservoir of morphological, nutritional, and biochemical diversity. Here, we synthesize current knowledge on WSP taxonomy, distribution, fruit morphology, and phytochemical composition to assess their potential as emerging fruit crops. Several species, including P. pubescens , P. pruinosa , P. chenopodiifolia , and P. grisea , exhibit favorable traits—large, sweet berries, high antioxidant capacity, and environmental resilience—supporting their suitability for cultivation and market development. However, significant gaps remain for many taxa, underscoring the need for targeted agronomic, nutritional, and breeding research. We advocate that WSPs offer promising opportunities to diversify food systems, enhance nutrition, and strengthen climate-resilient horticulture.
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Claims 5
Claim · model-written summary
Only Physalis peruviana is commercially exploited despite at least 15 wild sweet species traditionally consumed in the Americas.
PhysalisOrganisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
Verbatim
e0“only Physalis peruviana is commercially exploited despite the presence of at least 15 wild sweet Physalis (WSP) species traditionally consumed across the American continent.”
Claim · model-written summary
Wild sweet Physalis species are reported to have morphological, nutritional and biochemical diversity.
- Outcome
- morphological, nutritional, and biochemical diversitye0
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
Verbatim
e0“These species represent a rich but underexplored reservoir of morphological, nutritional, and biochemical diversity.”
t0“Physalis”
Claim · model-written summary
P. pubescens, P. pruinosa, P. chenopodiifolia and P. grisea show large sweet berries, antioxidant capacity and resilience supporting cultivation.
- Taxon
- P. pubescens , P. pruinosa , P. chenopodiifolia , and P. grisea
Physalis pubescensPhysalis chenopodiifolia
Physalis pruinosa
Physalis griseae0 - Outcome
- large, sweet berries, high antioxidant capacity, and environmental resiliencee0
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
Verbatim
e0“Several species, including P. pubescens , P. pruinosa , P. chenopodiifolia , and P. grisea , exhibit favorable traits—large, sweet berries, high antioxidant capacity, and environmental resilience—supporting their suitability for cultivation and market development.”
Claim · model-written summary
The authors call for targeted agronomic, nutritional and breeding research on these taxa.
- Outcome
- targeted agronomic, nutritional, and breeding researche0
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
Verbatim
e0“significant gaps remain for many taxa, underscoring the need for targeted agronomic, nutritional, and breeding research.”
t0“Physalis”
Claim · model-written summary
The authors advocate wild sweet Physalis to diversify food systems and strengthen climate resilient horticulture.
- Outcome
- diversify food systems, enhance nutrition, and strengthen climate-resilient horticulturee0
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
Verbatim
e0“We advocate that WSPs offer promising opportunities to diversify food systems, enhance nutrition, and strengthen climate-resilient horticulture.”
t0“Physalis”