Distribution and habitat: Throughout India, upto 2,300 m above MSL as a weed on cultivated land.

Botany: A herbaceous annual plant with 15-30 cm in height.

• Leaves: Simple, alternate, ovate, shallowly toothed or lobed and more or less pubescent.
• Flowers: Yellow, solitary and nodding.
• Fruits: Green, many seeded, round, enclosed in enlarged calyx.
• Seeds:  Many, discoid, orange yellow.

Properties: Diuretic, laxative, appetizing, expectorant, anti-inflammatory, 

Chemical constituent: Physalins A (roots), B(whole plant), D, F, E and X are present. Apart from that physalucoside A and  seven withanolides (2-8) are iolsated from this plant. Withangulatin A in the fruit has antidiabetic properties . Physangulatin A in the leaves and stems has anti-inflammatory properties.

Uses: Used in the treatment of burning sensations, splenomegaly, colic, ulcers, erysipelas 

Propagation: By seeds