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Physalis heterophylla - Nees.

Common Name Clammy Ground Cherry, Rowell's groundcherry
Family Solanaceae
USDA hardiness 7-10
Known Hazards All parts of the plant, except the fruit, are poisonous[19, 65].
Habitats Dry open woods[43]. Rich soils, especially where the surface has been disturbed[235].
Range N. America - New Brunswick to Saskatchewan, Florida, Colorado and Texas.
Edibility Rating    (3 of 5)
Other Uses    (0 of 5)
Weed Potential Yes
Medicinal Rating    (1 of 5)
Care (info)
Frost Hardy Well drained soil Moist Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Physalis heterophylla Clammy Ground Cherry, Rowell


http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:MONGO
Physalis heterophylla Clammy Ground Cherry, Rowell
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Matthieu_Godbout

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Physalis heterophylla is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.9 m (3ft) by 1 m (3ft 3in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 8. It is in flower from July to September. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

P. ambigua.

Plant Habitats

 Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Fruit
Edible Uses:

Fruit - raw or cooked[46, 105, 161]. Quite nice raw though rather small[K], the fruit can also be made into pies, jams, sauces etc[183]. Pectin or pectin-rich fruit should be added if the fruit is used in jams and preserves[183]. The fruit can also be dried, ground into a meal and added to flour for making bread etc[183]. The plant conveniently wraps up each fruit in its own 'paper bag' (botanically, the calyx) to protect it from pests and the elements. This calyx is toxic and should not be eaten.

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Antitumor  Diuretic  Poultice  Urinary

The seed is considered to be beneficial in the treatment of difficult urination, fever, inflammation and various urinary disorders[222]. A tea made from the leaves is used in the treatment of headaches and as a wash for burns and scalds[222]. A poultice of the leaves and roots is applied to wounds[222]. An infusion of the leaves and roots is used as a wash on scalds, burns and VD sores[257]. Compounds in the plant are being investigated for antitumor activity[222].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

None known

Special Uses

Food Forest

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Succeeds in any well-drained soil in full sun or light shade[200]. A polymorphic species[43]. For polyculture design as well as the above-ground architecture (form - tree, shrub etc. and size shown above) information on the habit and root pattern is also useful and given here if available. The plant growth habit is a clumper with limited spread [1-2]. The root pattern is fibrous dividing into a large number of fine roots [1-2]. The root pattern is rhizomatous with underground stems sending roots and shoots along their length [1-2].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:

Fahrenheit:

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The PFAF Bookshop

Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees,Edible Shrubs, Woodland Gardening, and Temperate Food Forest Plants. Our new book is Food Forest Plants For Hotter Conditions (Tropical and Sub-Tropical).

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Plant Propagation

Seed - sow March/April in a greenhouse only just covering the seed. Germination usually takes place quickly and freely. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots of fairly rich soil when they are large enough to handle and plant them out after the last expected frosts. Consider giving them some protection such as a cloche until they are growing away well. Diurnal temperature fluctuations assist germination[170]. Division in spring[111]. Very easy, larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found that it is better to pot up the smaller divisions and grow them on in light shade in a cold frame until they are well established before planting them out in late spring or early summer. Basal cuttings in early summer[111]. Harvest the shoots with plenty of underground stem when they are about 8 - 10cm above the ground. Pot them up into individual pots and keep them in light shade in a cold frame or greenhouse until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the summer.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

NORTHERN AMERICA: Canada, Québec, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Manitoba, United States, Connecticut, Indiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Illinois, Iowa (west), Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Wisconsin, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida (north), Kentucky, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, Texas, Utah,

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Physalis acutifoliaSharp-Leaf Ground CherryAnnual0.0 0-0  LMHSNM200
Physalis alkekengiWinter Cherry, Strawberry groundcherry,Ground Cherry, Chinese LanternPerennial0.3 6-9 FLMHSNM22 
Physalis alkekengi franchetiiWinter CherryPerennial0.5 5-9  LMHSNM222
Physalis angulataCutleaf Ground CherryAnnual0.8 0-0  LMHSNM310
Physalis angustifoliaCoastal groundcherryPerennial0.0 0-0  LMHNM20 
Physalis arenicolaCypresshead groundcherryPerennial0.0 0-0  LMHNM20 
Physalis carpenteriCarpenter's groundcherryAnnual0.0 0-0  LMHNM20 
Physalis caudellaSouthwestern groundcherryPerennial0.0 0-0  LMHNM20 
Physalis crassifoliaYellow nightshade groundcherryPerennial0.3 0-0  LMHNDM20 
Physalis foetens Annual0.6 -  LMHNM20 
Physalis foetens neomexicana Annual0.6 -  LMHNDM20 
Physalis greenei Annual0.3 -  LMHNDM20 
Physalis hederaefolia cordifoliaGround CherryPerennial0.3 -  LMHSNDM20 
Physalis ixocarpaTomatilloAnnual1.2 7-10  LMHSNDM40 
Physalis lanceolataGround Cherry, Sword groundcherryPerennial0.4 0-0  LMHSNDM21 
Physalis latiphysaBroadleaf groundcherry 0.0 0-0  LMHNM20 
Physalis macrophysaBladder Ground Cherry, Longleaf groundcherryPerennial1.5 0-0  LMHNM20 
Physalis minimaSunberry, Pygmy groundcherryAnnual0.5 0-0  LMHSNDM31 
Physalis missouriensisMissouri groundcherryAnnual1.0 0-0  LMHNM20 
Physalis obscura Annual1.0 -  LMHSNM20 
Physalis peruvianaGoldenberry, Peruvian groundcherryPerennial1.2 10-12  LMHSNM510
Physalis philadelphicaWild Tomatillo, Mexican groundcherryAnnual0.6 6-9  LMHSNM41 
Physalis pruinosaStrawberry TomatoAnnual0.6 4-8  LMHSNDM30 
Physalis pubescensGround Cherry, Husk tomatoAnnual0.5 10-12  LMHSNDM410
Physalis pumilaPrairie Ground Cherry, Dwarf groundcherryPerennial0.3 0-0  LMHNM20 
Physalis subglabrataLongleaf groundcherryPerennial1.5 4-8  LMHSNDM20 
Physalis variovestitaField groundcherry 0.0 0-0  LMHNM20 
Physalis virginianaVirginia Ground CherryPerennial0.6 6-9  LMHSNM210
Physalis virginiana sonorae Perennial0.0 -  LMHSNDM20 
12

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

Expert comment

Author

Nees.

Botanical References

170200235

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

Readers comment

Renate Rosenau   Tue Oct 3 2006

Does this physalis have blue flowers? I saw a "bush" about 1 meter high at Rosemoor Gardens, UK, and at Hermannshof, Germany, but in both places without names. I am searching the name of the plant: blue floewers, while at the same time (Sept/Oct) it developped fruit, grren, with brown dots. Can you help me to find out the name of this plant?

Dr. Chiranjit Parmar   Sun Nov 23 2008

Fruitipedia Online encyclopedia of edible fruits of the world

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