Physalis ixocarpa
Tomatillo
an annual member of the Physalis genus in the family Solanaceae.
Taxonomy and growth
- Family
- Solanaceae
- Genus
- Physalis
- Life cycle
- annual
- Height
- 1.2 m
- Fertility
- Bees
- Flower type
- hermaphrodite
- Pollinators
- Bees
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.
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
All parts of the plant, except the fruit, are poisonous[4][13].
Edible uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Fruit - raw or cooked[6][9][12]. The fruit is a berry that is 2.5cm or more in diameter[5]. When not fully ripe, the fruit can be cooked and used in curries, sauces, soups, stews etc[3]. A delicious flavouring when used like a tomato and added to soups, stews etc[K]. The fully ripe fruit is sweeter and can be eaten out of hand, added to salads or used in pies, preserves etc[3]. 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.
- Plant part
- Fruit
Environment
- Range
- Southern and Central N. America as far north as southern Quebec.
- Habitat
- Waste places[10].
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- light shade
- Water
- moderate
- Hardiness
- Zone 8+
- Soil textures
- sandy, loamy, clay
- Soil pH
- acid, neutral, alkaline
- Drainage
- well drained
- Tolerances
- drought
- Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
- No
- Drought
- tolerant
Propagation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
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[2].
Cultivation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Succeeds in any well-drained soil in full sun or light shade[5]. Prefers a rich light soil[7][9]. Tolerates hot dry weather[1]. One report suggests that the plant is a perennial but, if this is true, it is not winter hardy in Britain though it can be cultivated as an annual for its edible fruit in much the same way that tomatoes are grown[8]. There are some named varieties[3]. Some botanists unite this species with P. philadelphica[11], saying that it arose from P. philadelphica through cultivation. A slow growing plant[1]. Insect resistant[1].
References
Natural Food Institute, Wonder Crops. 1987.
Dremann. C. G. Ground Cherries, Husk Tomatoes and Tomatilloes. Redwood City Seed Co 1985-00-00 ISBN 0-933421-03-6
Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9
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
Simmons. A. E. Growing Unusual Fruit. David and Charles 1972-00-00 ISBN 0-7153-5531-7
Organ. J. Rare Vegetables for Garden and Table. Faber 1960-00-00
Harrison. S. Wallis. M. Masefield. G. The Oxford Book of Food Plants. Oxford University Press 1975-00-00
Simmons A. E. Simmons' Manual of Fruit. David & Charles. 1978-00-00 ISBN 0-7153-7607-1
Fernald. M. L. Gray's Manual of Botany. American Book Co. 1950-00-00
? Flora Europaea Cambridge University Press 1964-00-00
Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202
Frohne. D. and Pf�nder. J. A Colour Atlas of Poisonous Plants. Wolfe 1984-00-00 ISBN 0723408394