Description

A fairly low-growing annual, usually to 1-3ft. Typical Physalis growth pattern and shape, with some branching and pretty yellow flowers borne at nodes. Fruits ripen in a couple of months and are enclosed in a green-yellow papery calyx which protects them from pests.

Hardiness

Not frost hardy, but can be grown pretty much anywhere as an annual.

Growing Environment

Loves full sun or part shade and regular water. Makes a great container specimen. Grow in well-drained soil of pretty much any type.

Propagation

By seeds, which usually germinate within 1-8 weeks.

Uses

The ripen fruits are eaten fresh and generally receive good marks for their taste. An additional benefit is that they are high in vitamin C. Raw fruits can be cooked like a vegetable. There are a few medicinal uses and some studies have shown plant extracts have some anticancer activity.

Native Range

Native through Southeast Asia and into Northern Australia.

Additional Pictures

Related Species

Solanaceae
	Acnistus arborescens Wild Tobacco		Brugmansia arborea Angel's Trumpet
	Brugmansia aurea Golden Angel's Trumpet		Brugmansia candida White Angel's Trumpet
	Brugmansia sanguinea Red Angel's Trumpet		Brugmansia suaveolens Angel's Trumpet
	Brugmansia versicolor Orange Angel's Trumpet		Capsicum caballeroi Capsicum caballeroi
	Capsicum exile Cobincho Pepper		Capsicum eximium Capsicum eximium
	Capsicum flexuosum Capsicum flexuosum		Capsicum galapagoense Galapagos Island Pepper
	Capsicum praetermissum Cumari		Capsicum rhomboideum Capsicum rhomboideum
	Cyphomandra abutiloides Dwarf Tamarillo		Cyphomandra betacea Tree Tomato
	Datura inoxia Thorn Apple		Datura metel Double Purple Datura
	Iochroma australe (Acnistus australis) Mini Angel's Trumpet		Iochroma cyaneum Violet Churcu
	Iochroma fuchsioides Red Iochroma		Iochroma grandiflora Giant Iochroma
	Jaltomata procumbens Jaltomato		Lycopersicon melanocarpa Lycopersicon melanocarpa
	Lycopersicon skorospelka Lycopersicon skorospelka		Nicotiana glauca Tree Tobacco
	Physalis alkekengi Chinese Lantern		Physalis angulata Mullaca
	Physalis costomatl Cotztomatl		Physalis ixocarpa Tomatillo
	Physalis minima Sunberry		Physalis peruviana Cape Gooseberry
	Physalis pruinosa Ground Cherry		Solanum aviculare Kangaroo Apple
	Solanum burbankii Wonderberry		Solanum caripense Tzimbalo
	Solanum chessmanii Galapagos Island Tomato		Solanum dulcamara Bittersweet
	Solanum hispidum Giant Devil's Fig		Solanum lycocarpum Fruit for Wolves
	Solanum macrocarpon Gbogname		Solanum mammosum Nipple Fruit
	Solanum melanocerasum Garden Huckleberry		Solanum muricatum Pepino
	Solanum pseudolulo Pseudolulo		Solanum quitoense Naranjilla
	Solanum sessiliflorum Cocona		Solanum uporo Cannibal's Tomato
	Withania somnifera Ashwagandha