Physalis greenei

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Taxonomy and growth

Family: Solanaceae
Genus: Physalis
Life cycle: annual
Height: 0.3 m
Fertility: Insects
Flower type: hermaphrodite
Pollinators: Insects

Uses

Toxicity

Toxicity warning. The historical record reports a hazard for this plant. Do not use it to decide which parts are safe to eat or use medicinally.

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^[2]^[4].

Edible uses

Fruit - raw or cooked^[1]. 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.

Plant part: Fruit

Environment

Range: Southern N. America - California.
Habitat: Sea cliffs and coastal sage scrub^[5]^[1].
Light: full sun
Shade tolerance: no shade
Water: moderate
Soil textures: sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH: acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage: well drained
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil: No
Drought: intolerant

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^[1].

Cultivation

We have very little information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy in Britain, though it should be possible to treat it as a tender annual, sowing the seed in early spring in a warm greenhouse and planting out after the last expected frosts[K]. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus. Succeeds in any well-drained soil in full sun or light shade^[3].

References

Dremann. C. G. Ground Cherries, Husk Tomatoes and Tomatilloes. Redwood City Seed Co 1985-00-00 ISBN 0-933421-03-6
↩1 ↩2 ↩3
Stary. F. Poisonous Plants. Hamlyn 1983-00-00 ISBN 0-600-35666-3
↩
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
↩
Frohne. D. and Pf�nder. J. A Colour Atlas of Poisonous Plants. Wolfe 1984-00-00 ISBN 0723408394
↩
Munz. A California Flora. University of California Press 1959-00-00
↩

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