There is a plant in the north, which is called gu'niang in dialect, which is a bit like Solanum nigrum. The fruit is wrapped in a leather bag, and it is white or light yellow when it is ripe. What is its name? Physalis alkekengi

Alias; Canned palm fruit, dog shit fruit, sour pulp, wild papaya fruit, sand lantern.

[Plant morphology]; Perennial herb, 45 ~ 90 cm tall. Stems erect, unbranched or with few branches, densely pubescent. The leaves are thick, broadly ovate or heart-shaped, the apex is short and acuminate, the base is symmetrical and heart-shaped, the whole leaves or a few inconspicuous sharp teeth, both sides are densely pilose and petiolate. Flowers are solitary; Corolla broadly bell-shaped, yellow, purple throat. Berries are spherical, yellow when ripe, enclosed in fruit calyx, which is ovoid, thin paper, light green or light yellow, and pilose. Seeds yellow, disc-shaped. Flowering and fruiting period is 5 ~11month.

[medicinal parts]; Whole grass.

[harvesting and processing]; Harvest in summer and autumn and dry in the sun for later use.

[sexual taste]; Bitter, sour, slightly cold.

Indications: clearing away heat and toxic materials, eliminating phlegm and relieving cough, diminishing inflammation and promoting diuresis. Used for colds, cough, mumps, sore throat, whooping cough, cystitis, urethritis, orchitis, acute hepatitis, hernia and pemphigus.

References:

Yunnan Natural Medicine Illustrated Book I