Physalis sp.

MARTÍNEZ CROVETTO (1964: 22) reports that the Toba of the East call one Physalis, whose species the author does not identify, “tapañi”. It is doubtful whether the name belongs to this genus since, to our knowledge, the name “tapañi” is usually applied by diverse Toba and Pilagá communities to representatives of the genus Solanum L. (S. aridum Morong, S. elaeagnifolium Cav. and S. hieronymi Kuntze), which when have no flower or fruit can easily be mistaken by Physalis (ARENAS, 1992 -1993: 98; FILIPOV, 1992 -1993: 118). Likewise, CHASE SARDI (1977) claims that different species of Solanaceae are used by the Nivaclé for magical and medicinal purposes. They are applied by shamans in their initiation ceremonies, and are consumed in potions or are smoked. He includes Physalis among them, but the author provided no reliable identification. Finally, importance should be given to information coming from the Izoceño-Guarani people from the east of the Bolivian Chaco, who mention the fruits of several species of Physalis, P. viscosa among them, as animal feed and as a remedy (BOURDY, 2002: 147-149).