Physalis pruinosa var. argentina J. M. Toledo & Barboza

Annual, robust herbaceous plant which can reach up to 1.5 m in height; lives in Bolivia, Paraguay and Argentina, with the Gran Chaco and its adjoining areas being places where its presence has been well documented (TOLEDO & BARBOSA, 2005: 73-76). It lives in clearings and the edges of forests, invading crops, roadsides and disturbed terrain. The Pilagá report that the ripe fruit is a source of food.

Physalis pruinosa var. argentina J. M. Toledo & Barboza

ARGENTINA. Prov. Formosa. Dpto Patiño: Colonia Muñiz, a 8 km de Las Lomitas, 24º46 S 60º29 W, 3.VI.1985, Dell Arciprete 25 (BA) [Pilagá indians]. Dpto Matacos: Ing. Juárez, Toldería Toba, 1 km al N del pueblo, 23°53 S 61°51 W, 20.II.1983, Arenas 2191 (BA) [Toba-pilagá indians]. Dpto Bermejo: Pozo de Maza, 23°34 S 61°42 W, 4.II.1989, Arenas 3399 (BA) [Wichí indians]; Pozo de Maza, 23°34 S 61°42 W, 15.VII.1996, Scarpa 84 (BA) [Criollo]; Vaca Perdida, 23º29 S 61º38 W, 13.III.1986, Arenas 3214 (BA) [Tobapilagá indians]. Prov. Salta. Dpto Rivadavia: Misión La Paz, 22º24 S 62º30 W, 23.I.1984, Arenas 2683 (BA) [Choroti indians].

PARAGUAY. Dpto Presidente Hayes: Misión San Leonardo de Escalante, 61º00 S 24º45 W, VI.1981, Sturzenegger s.n. (BACP 2524, BA) [Nivaclé indians ].

Physalis pruinosa var. argentina J. M. Toledo & Barboza

“xucinxasché lhakos” [Nivaclé indians];

“maqane” [Pilagá indians]; “kuchi’maGañik”, “kochi’maGañi” [Toba-pilagá indians];

“kaaní” [Choroti indians];

“wahat te’lhui”, “wuq’ute lhui” [Wichí indians];

“pocote” [Argentinian Criollo].