Physalis ixocarpa

Read about Physalis ixocarpa in the Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture

Physalis ixocarpa, Brot. Tomatullo). Fig. 2933. Erect annual, 3 or 4 ft. tall, bearing smooth branches and lvs., the latter thin, ovate or lance-ovate and variously toothed or notched: fls. large and open (3/4in. or more across), the border bright yellow and the throat bearing 5 black-brown spots; anthers purplish: husk or enlarged calyx purple-veined and entirely filled by the large round, purplish sticky berry, and is sometimes torn open by it. Mex., and intro. northward to the northern states. The form in cult., described here, is probably P. capsicifolia, Dun., now regarded by some as a form of the cosmopolitan P. angidala. The writer prefers, however, to refer the plant to P. ixocarpa, although there is doubt as to the identity of the cult, plant with this species. Although the cult, plant is sometimes sold as P. edulis (erroneously), the frs. are usually too mawkish to be eaten from the hand (at least as grown in the N.). It is a very vigorous and productive plant and is of some consequence as an ornamental, but it is too weedy to be of much value. The fr. is larger than in the native P. angulala. The plant figured by Carriere as P. inolacea (R. H. 1882:216) is the one here described. In Mex., the frs. are said to be used in the making of chilli sauce and as a dressing for meats, usually under the name of "tomatoes." The Mexican forms are confused. The above text is from the Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture. It may be out of date, but still contains valuable and interesting information which can be incorporated into the remainder of the article. Click on "Collapse" in the header to hide this text.

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