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Physalis pubescens - L.

Common Name Ground Cherry, Husk tomato
Family Solanaceae
USDA hardiness 10-12
Known Hazards Although no specific mention has been seen for this species, it belongs to a genus where many of the members have poisonous leaves and stems, though the full ripe fruits are usually edible[19, 65].
Habitats Damp to dry open woods, sand dunes and disturbed soil[43]
Range N. America - Wisconsin, Virginia, Ohio. Indiana and southwards.
Edibility Rating    (4 of 5)
Other Uses    (0 of 5)
Weed Potential Yes
Medicinal Rating    (1 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Well drained soil Moist Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Physalis pubescens Ground Cherry, Husk tomato


www.flickr.com/photos/plants_of_russian_in_brazil
Physalis pubescens Ground Cherry, Husk tomato
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Hortus_Elthamensis_plate_009.jpg

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Physalis pubescens is a ANNUAL growing to 0.5 m (1ft 8in).
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 dry or moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

P. barbardense. P. florida.

Habitats

 Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Fruit
Edible Uses:

Fruit - raw or cooked in pies, preserves etc[62, 85, 132, 183]. A delicious bitter sweet flavour. The fruit falls from the plant before it is fully ripe and should be left for a week or two until the husk has dried and the fruit has turned a golden-yellow[207]. Delightful when fully ripe[102]. When dried in sugar, the fruit is excellent in fruit cakes, some cooks preferring them to raisins or figs[183]. Yields up to 0.5 kilo per plant[170]. 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 will store for several weeks if left in the calyx[207]. The fruit is a berry about 15mm in diameter[200].

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.
Antipyretic  Depurative  Diuretic  Pectoral  Vermifuge  Vitamin C

The whole plant is antipyretic, depurative, diuretic, pectoral, vermifuge[147]. A decoction is used in the treatment of abscesses, coughs, fevers, sore throat etc[147, 218].

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]. Cultivated for its edible fruit in the Ukraine[50]. There are some named varieties[200]. 'Cossack Pineapple' has a small pineapple-flavoured fruit[200]. 'Goldie' has medium-sized fruits that are borne prolifically on a well-branched plant[200].

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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Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees, and Woodland Gardening. Our new book to be released soon is Edible Shrubs.

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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

Ground Cherry, Capulin, Ground cherry, Husk-tomato, balãozinho, camapú, husk tomato, umuhuhu,

Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Africa, Asia, Australia, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Caribbean, Central Africa, Central America, China, Colombia, Congo DR, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominica, Ecuador, El Salvador, French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Hispaniola, Honduras, Jamaica, Martinique, Mauritius, Mexico, New Zealand, Nicaragua, North America, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Puerto Rico, SE Asia, South Africa, Southern Africa, South America, Suriname, USA, Venezuela, Vietnam,

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 heterophyllaClammy Ground Cherry, Rowell's groundcherryPerennial0.9 7-10  LMHSNDM310
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 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.

 

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Expert comment

Author

L.

Botanical References

170

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here
A special thanks to Ken Fern for some of the information used on this page.

Readers comment

Joe Krein   Mon Jun 2 2008

Why do all of your descriptions say, "The plant prefers light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and requires well-drained soil. The plant prefers acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils" ? Seems pretty ambiguous. How can a plant that needs well drained soil also prefer heavy clay soils? Also, how can it "prefer" such a wide range of alkalinities?

Eric Cgung   Sun Jul 27 2008

I have a plant called physalis pubescens, but the picture are not the same. I have 2 picture at my site. It this plant the same as yours. Thanks for indentification. I am in Malaysia. Thanks.

herb plant

Mrs B J Harvey   Wed Apr 8 2009

I wish to buy dried Physalis in UK, can you help

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