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Summary
Physical Characteristics
Physalis virginiana is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.6 m (2ft).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 7. 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 moist soil.
UK Hardiness Map
US Hardiness Map
Synonyms
Plant Habitats
Cultivated Beds;
Edible Uses
Edible Parts: Fruit
Edible Uses:
Fruit - raw or cooked[46, 105, 170]. The fruit is best after it has been touched by a frost[257]. 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.
Cancer Miscellany
Extracts from the plant have shown anticancer activity[218]. An infusion of the whole plant has been used in the treatment of dizziness[257].
References More on Medicinal Uses
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Other Uses
References More on Other Uses
Cultivation details
Succeeds in any well-drained soil in full sun or light shade[200]. This plant has been growing successfully with us in Cornwall since 1990, though it is not setting fruit[K].
References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information
Temperature Converter
Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:
Fahrenheit:
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 (southwest), Ontario (south), Manitoba (south)), United States (Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, West Virginia, Illinois, Iowa (west), Kansas (east), Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Wisconsin, Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, Texas (east))
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
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| Latin Name | Common Name | Habit | Height | Hardiness | Growth | Soil | Shade | Moisture | Edible | Medicinal | Other |
| Physalis acutifolia | Sharp-Leaf Ground Cherry | Annual | 0.0 |
0-0
| | LMH | SN | M | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Physalis alkekengi | Winter Cherry, Strawberry groundcherry,Ground Cherry, Chinese Lantern | Perennial | 0.3 |
6-9
| F | LMH | SN | M | 2 | 2 | |
| Physalis alkekengi franchetii | Winter Cherry | Perennial | 0.5 |
5-9
| | LMH | SN | M | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Physalis angulata | Cutleaf Ground Cherry | Annual | 0.8 |
0-0
| | LMH | SN | M | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| Physalis angustifolia | Coastal groundcherry | Perennial | 0.0 |
0-0
| | LMH | N | M | 2 | 0 | |
| Physalis arenicola | Cypresshead groundcherry | Perennial | 0.0 |
0-0
| | LMH | N | M | 2 | 0 | |
| Physalis carpenteri | Carpenter's groundcherry | Annual | 0.0 |
0-0
| | LMH | N | M | 2 | 0 | |
| Physalis caudella | Southwestern groundcherry | Perennial | 0.0 |
0-0
| | LMH | N | M | 2 | 0 | |
| Physalis crassifolia | Yellow nightshade groundcherry | Perennial | 0.3 |
0-0
| | LMH | N | DM | 2 | 0 | |
| Physalis foetens | | Annual | 0.6 |
-
| | LMH | N | M | 2 | 0 | |
| Physalis foetens neomexicana | | Annual | 0.6 |
-
| | LMH | N | DM | 2 | 0 | |
| Physalis greenei | | Annual | 0.3 |
-
| | LMH | N | DM | 2 | 0 | |
| Physalis hederaefolia cordifolia | Ground Cherry | Perennial | 0.3 |
-
| | LMH | SN | DM | 2 | 0 | |
| Physalis heterophylla | Clammy Ground Cherry, Rowell's groundcherry | Perennial | 0.9 |
7-10
| | LMH | SN | DM | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| Physalis ixocarpa | Tomatillo | Annual | 1.2 |
7-10
| | LMH | SN | DM | 4 | 0 | |
| Physalis lanceolata | Ground Cherry, Sword groundcherry | Perennial | 0.4 |
0-0
| | LMH | SN | DM | 2 | 1 | |
| Physalis latiphysa | Broadleaf groundcherry | | 0.0 |
0-0
| | LMH | N | M | 2 | 0 | |
| Physalis macrophysa | Bladder Ground Cherry, Longleaf groundcherry | Perennial | 1.5 |
0-0
| | LMH | N | M | 2 | 0 | |
| Physalis minima | Sunberry, Pygmy groundcherry | Annual | 0.5 |
0-0
| | LMH | SN | DM | 3 | 1 | |
| Physalis missouriensis | Missouri groundcherry | Annual | 1.0 |
0-0
| | LMH | N | M | 2 | 0 | |
| Physalis obscura | | Annual | 1.0 |
-
| | LMH | SN | M | 2 | 0 | |
| Physalis peruviana | Goldenberry, Peruvian groundcherry | Perennial | 1.2 |
10-12
| | LMH | SN | M | 5 | 1 | 0 |
| Physalis philadelphica | Wild Tomatillo, Mexican groundcherry | Annual | 0.6 |
6-9
| | LMH | SN | M | 4 | 1 | |
| Physalis pruinosa | Strawberry Tomato | Annual | 0.6 |
4-8
| | LMH | SN | DM | 3 | 0 | |
| Physalis pubescens | Ground Cherry, Husk tomato | Annual | 0.5 |
10-12
| | LMH | SN | DM | 4 | 1 | 0 |
| Physalis pumila | Prairie Ground Cherry, Dwarf groundcherry | Perennial | 0.3 |
0-0
| | LMH | N | M | 2 | 0 | |
| Physalis subglabrata | Longleaf groundcherry | Perennial | 1.5 |
4-8
| | LMH | SN | DM | 2 | 0 | |
| Physalis variovestita | Field groundcherry | | 0.0 |
0-0
| | LMH | N | M | 2 | 0 | |
| Physalis virginiana sonorae | | Perennial | 0.0 |
-
| | LMH | SN | DM | 2 | 0 | |
|
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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
Mill.
Botanical References
43170274
Links / References
For a list of references used on this page please go here
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Subject : Physalis virginiana
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