Withania somnifera, Physalis somnifera, Common Winter-cherry,
ויתניה משכרת
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| | Scientific name: |
| Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal |
| Synonym name: |
| Physalis somnifera |
| Common name: |
| Common Winter-cherry, Sleepy nightshade |
| Hebrew name: |
| ויתניה משכרת |
| Family: |
| Solanaceae, סולניים |
Date Picture Taken: December 21, 2007
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| | Life form: |
| Chamaephyte |
| Leaves: |
| Alternate, entire, dentate or serrate |
| Flowers: |
| The corolla is bell-shaped with 3-6 yellow-green lobes, red fruit. |
| Flowering Period: |
| Summer |
| Habitat: |
| Rich soils, ruderal | | Distribution: |
| The Mediterranean Woodlands and Shrublands, Semi-steppe shrublands, Shrub-steppes, Deserts and extreme deserts |
| Phytogeo: |
| Med - Irano-Turanian |
| Summer shedding: |
| perenating |
Date Picture Taken: December 21, 2007
Derivation of the botanical name:
Withania for withanine, the main constituents of this plant.
somnifera, somnifer, sleep bringing ; meaning sleep inducing
The name ashwagandha (one of the common names for this herb) comes from the sanskrit meaning "horse-like-smell". Apparently, this name not only refers to the smell of the herb but also its strengthening and aphrodisiac qualities. It is sometimes called “Indian Ginseng”.
- The standard author abbreviation L. is used to indicate Carl Linnaeus (1707 – 1778), a Swedish botanist, physician, and zoologist, the father of modern taxonomy.
- The standard author abbreviation Dunal is used to indicate Michel Felix Dunal (1789 – 1856), a French botanist. He was professor of botany in Montpellier, France.
The roots and berries of the plant are used in herbal medicine.
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