Ashwagandha
Withania somnifera
Withania somnifera, commonly called ashwagandha or Indian ginseng, is a resilient Solanaceae shrub famed for …
Prickly winter cherry (Withania echinata)
Silhouette: T. Michael Keesey
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Withania echinata - Prickly Calyx, Distribution and Details
Densely covered with soft, spine-like protrusions, the fruiting calyx of Withania echinata makes this species exceptionally easy to identify in the wild. It is native to the temperate forests and rocky terrains of East Asia, including Japan, China, and the Russian Far East.
This wild perennial herb prefers damp, shady locations along valleys and streams. Its unique morphology plays a key role in protecting the developing fruit from local herbivores.
Taxonomy
- ∟ царство Plantae
- ∟ division Tracheophytes (Vascular Plants)
- ∟ subdivision Spermatophytes (Seed plants)
- ∟ Angiosperms
- ∟ mesangiosperms (Core angiosperms)
- ∟ eudicots
- ∟ asterids
- ∟ order Solanales
- ∟ family Solanaceae
- ∟ subfamily Solanoideae
- ∟ tribe Physaleae
- ∟ genus Withania (ashwagandha)
- ∟ species Withania echinata (Prickly winter cherry)
Morphology
The morphological structure of this plant features several unique adaptations:
- Stems: Sturdy, green, typically growing to a height of 30 to 70 centimeters with minimal branching.
- Leaves: Simple, ovate to broadly lanceolate, with smooth or slightly wavy margins and short petioles.
- Flowers: Small, solitary, bell-shaped, with a white or greenish-white corolla.
- Fruiting Calyx: Significantly inflated, subglobose, and densely covered with soft, green, needle-like projections that protect the orange-red berry inside.
Flowering season
June to August
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Name
Dec
Interesting facts
The specific epithet echinata means "prickly" or "spiny," referring directly to the sea-urchin-like appearance of the protective calyx enclosing the mature berry.
Geography of distribution
- China
- Russia
- Japan
Sources
- Plants of the World Online (POWO)
- World Flora Online (WFO)
- Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF)
Technical Information
Taxon Synonyms: Physaliastrum echinatum
See also
Shrubby winter cherry
Withania frutescens
A heavily branched Mediterranean evergreen shrub featuring tortuous woody stems, heart-shaped leaves, and green-to-red berries …
Indian rennet
Withania coagulans
A small gray-white shrub native to South Asia and the Middle East, renowned for its …
Orobal
Withania aristata
An endemic evergreen shrub of the Canary Islands and North Africa, notable for its yellowish-green …