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Glite Dictionary
Physalis philadelphica

Physalis philadelphica

9.5
A small Mexican plant that makes edible green or yellow fruits like small tomatoes
  • noun
  • Specialized
translation icon : tomatillo
  • Botanists classify the tomatillo under the scientific name Physalis philadelphica.

Examples

  • The culinary uses of Physalis philadelphica are particularly popular in Mexican salsas and sauces.

  • The Physalis philadelphica plant thrives in warm climates.

  • Farmers grow Physalis philadelphica both for its fruit and its ornamental value.

  • I love the flavor of Physalis philadelphica in salsa.

  • The culinary uses of Physalis philadelphica are particularly popular in Mexican salsas and sauces.

  • Farmers grow Physalis philadelphica both for its fruit and its ornamental value.

  • I love the flavor of Physalis philadelphica in salsa.

Synonyms

tomatillo
vsPhysalis philadelphica
2 7.6

A small round green fruit with a thin papery husk used in Mexican cooking and the plant that grows it

describes the plant species rather than only the culinary fruit
Physalis ixocarpa
vsPhysalis philadelphica
  • Specialized
9.9

A small plant from Mexico that produces edible green fruits like small tomatoes inside a thin paper husk

is described as naturalized rather than native in North America
miltomate
vsPhysalis philadelphica
  • US
9.9

A Mexican plant that makes small fruits like tomatoes you can eat

highlights family membership and the common name rather than local usage

Surface Forms

Physalis philadelphica singular
Physalis philadelphicas plural

Morphology

Physalis + philadelphica

This is a Latin binomial combining the genus name 'Physalis' with a species epithet; a learner who knows 'Physalis' can therefore infer it denotes a particular species of that plant genus, so the taxonomic relation is transparent. However, the specific epithet 'philadelphica' carries no clear lexical meaning for a B1 learner and does not reveal the common name 'tomatillo' or the plant's full properties, so the exact referent and everyday meaning remain unpredictable.

Etymology

Physalis philadelphica comes from an old Greek word, Physalis, meaning 'bladder'. The fruit grows inside a thin, papery husk like a small paper lantern, so the name helps you remember this is the plant that makes 'tomatillo' fruit.