Bladder cherry Toxic?

Updated 2026-03-06| 4 min read| 2,468 found this helpful
Bladder cherry
1

No confirmed human or animal poisoning cases for this species are documented in peer-reviewed scientific literature

2

Only fully ripe berries are safe for human consumption; all other plant parts are not recommended for use as animal feed

3

The plant can be confused with other Physalis species or Withania somnifera, so accurate identification is critical before consumption

FAQ

Is Bladder cherry toxic to Humans?

No formal poisoning symptoms are reported in available scientific literature. Seek immediate medical care if adverse reactions occur after ingestion (Non-toxic)

Is Bladder cherry toxic to Cats?

No formal poisoning symptoms are reported in available scientific literature. Seek immediate veterinary care if adverse reactions occur after ingestion (Non-toxic)

Is Bladder cherry toxic to Dogs?

No formal poisoning symptoms are reported in available scientific literature. Seek immediate veterinary care if adverse reactions occur after ingestion (Non-toxic)

Is Bladder cherry toxic to Horses?

No formal poisoning symptoms are reported in available scientific literature. Seek immediate veterinary care if adverse reactions occur after ingestion (Non-toxic)

Not sure which plant? Snap a photo to ID in 1 secondGet App

Toxicity Details

Humans
Non-toxic

No formal poisoning symptoms are reported in available scientific literature. Seek immediate medical care if adverse reactions occur after ingestion

Cats
Non-toxic

No formal poisoning symptoms are reported in available scientific literature. Seek immediate veterinary care if adverse reactions occur after ingestion

Dogs
Non-toxic

No formal poisoning symptoms are reported in available scientific literature. Seek immediate veterinary care if adverse reactions occur after ingestion

Horses
Non-toxic

No formal poisoning symptoms are reported in available scientific literature. Seek immediate veterinary care if adverse reactions occur after ingestion

Toxicity Snapshot

Toxic PartsNo recorded poisoning cases in scientific literature. Only fully ripe berries are edible; all other plant parts are not suitable for use as animal fodder
Exposure RouteIngestion is the primary exposure route, typically from eating unripe berries or non-fruit plant material
Toxic CompoundsNo specific toxic compounds are documented for this species in the provided reference dataset

First Aid & Prevention

First 30 Minutes

  • • If unripe berries or non-fruit plant material is ingested, rinse the mouth thoroughly with clean water immediately
  • • Monitor for signs of gastrointestinal discomfort including nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
  • • Do not induce vomiting unless explicitly instructed by a medical professional or veterinarian

Contact Vet Immediately

  • • If your pet or livestock has ingested large quantities of unripe berries or non-fruit plant material
  • • If abnormal symptoms including lethargy, loss of appetite, or digestive distress appear after ingestion
  • • If you cannot confirm the identity of the ingested plant and cannot rule out toxic lookalike species

Prevention

  • • Keep unharvested plants out of reach of pets and livestock to avoid accidental ingestion of non-edible parts
  • • Confirm full plant identification before consuming any wild-harvested Physalis species to avoid toxic lookalikes
  • • Only consume fully ripe, properly identified berries of this species

Treatment & Prognosis

  • • Supportive care to manage gastrointestinal symptoms is the primary approach if adverse reactions occur
  • • No specific antidote is known for this species, as no confirmed toxic effects have been documented
  • • Seek targeted medical or veterinary care based on presented symptoms if adverse reactions develop
Emergency? Open PlantFun for real-time AI guidanceGet App

Professional Toxicology

Scientific NamePhysalis alkekengi L.
AliasesChinese lantern、Japanese-lantern、Strawberry groundcherry、Winter cherry、Klabuster cherry
Toxicity Grade
HumansNon-toxic
CatsNon-toxic
DogsNon-toxic
HorsesNon-toxic
Target Organs
No specific target organs identified for this species, as no confirmed toxic effects are recorded
Mechanism of Action

• No toxic mechanism is documented, as no confirmed poisoning cases have been reported in scientific literature for this species

Other Species Risk (CliniTox)

Information from CliniTox veterinary text.

Livestock (cattle, sheep, goats): No confirmed poisoning cases reported, but the plant is not recommended for use as fodder to avoid potential adverse effects
Small companion mammals (rabbits, guinea pigs): No documented toxicity cases, but ingestion of non-fruit plant parts is not recommended
Confusion Risk

The following plants look similar and may be confused:

Other Physalis species Various Physalis spp.
Most Physalis species share highly similar physical traits, but toxicity levels vary greatly across species, so correct identification is required before consumption
Sleep berry Withania somnifera
Visually similar to Physalis alkekengi, it is classified as non-toxic but has distinct properties and uses, so proper identification is recommended
Use PlantFun to scan and avoid misidentificationGet App

Related Toxic Plants

Download PlantFun App

Identify, grow and care for plants effectively!

Instant Plant ID

Take a photo to quickly identify plants.

Smart Care Reminders

Generate watering and care schedules.

Toxicity & Disease Diagnosis

Identify toxic plants and pests with treatment advice.

Download on the App Store

Data Sources

This information is for reference only and does not constitute medical advice. If ingestion or poisoning is suspected, seek medical or veterinary attention immediately.

View Full Plant Wiki Care Guide Plant ID Uses & Culture
PlantFun

PlantFun

⭐ 4.9 rating · AI toxicity check

Get App