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Summary
Physical Characteristics
Physalis philadelphica is a ANNUAL growing to 0.6 m (2ft).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 7 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from July to September, and the seeds ripen from August to October. 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
P. aequanta. Jacq.
Plant Habitats
Cultivated Beds;
Edible Uses
Edible Parts: Fruit
Edible Uses:
Fruit - raw or cooked[2, 50, 105]. A delicious flavouring when used like a tomato and added to soups, stews etc[K]. 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. The fruit can be stored for up to a year if picked before they are fully ripe and left inside their calyx.
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.
Ophthalmic
The juice from the berries has been used as an eyewash[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]. Cultivated for its edible fruit in the Ukraine[50]. There are some named varieties[183, 200]. 'Purple de Milpa' has small purple-tinged fruits with a sharp flavour, they keep well[200]. Closely related to P. ixocarpa, this is probably the wild species that P. ixocarpa was derived from in cultivation[170].
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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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].
Other Names
If available other names are mentioned here
Native Range
NORTHERN AMERICA: Mexico (Zacatecas, Aguascalientes, Jalisco) SOUTHERN AMERICA: Guatemala, El Salvador
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 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 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 | Virginia Ground Cherry | Perennial | 0.6 |
6-9
| | LMH | SN | M | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Physalis virginiana sonorae | | Perennial | 0.0 |
-
| | LMH | SN | DM | 2 | 0 | |
|
|
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
Lam.
Botanical References
170200
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