Physalis


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Plant Characteristics
Origin: ?
Cultivation
Exposure: ?"?" is not in the list (sun, part-sun, shade, unknown) of allowed values for the "Exposure" property.
Water: ?"?" is not in the list (wet, moist, moderate, dry, less when dormant) of allowed values for the "Water" property.
Scientific Names



Read about Physalis in the Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture 

Physalis (Greek for bladder, because the thin calyx enlarges and incloses the fruit). Solanaceae. Husk Tomato. Ground Cherry. Herbs of warm and temperate countries grown somewhat for the edible fruits and also for the ornament of the great colored fruiting calyx of some species.

Annual and perennial plants, sometimes lightly woody at base, straggling or diffuse in growth, glabrous or pubescent, summer-flowering: lvs. alternate (often opposite or subopposite on short shoots), mostly angled and distinctly petioled, usually soft in texture: fls. not showy, usually on axillary or extra-axillary peduncles, mostly blue or yellowish or whitish; calyx 5 toothed or-cleft, becoming large and bladder-like and inclosing the 2 celled globular yellow or greenish often more or less viscid berry; corolla rotate or short bell-shaped, usually with purplish spots in the center, plicate, short-tubed and mostly 5-toothed; stamens 5; style slender, the stigma somewhat 2-lobed. Probably 75 species, mostly American, but a few in Eu. and Asia. The species are variable and therefore confusing to the systematist. The genus is allied to Nicandra, and more remotely to Capsicum, Lycopersicum and others.

Most of the species are of little consequence horticulturally, although P. Alkekengi and P. Franchetii are much prized for the glowing red very large calices, and P. pubescens and P. peruviana are grown for then- edible fruits. Several of the species are known for their fruits where they grow in a wild state, and they may sometimes be transferred to gardens. In most parts of the United States and Canada one or more species grow about gardens, in fields, and in waste places. These species are popularly known as "ground cherry." The fruits are often made into preserves, although they are sometimes eaten raw. The common cultivated species are annuals, or are usually treated as such in this country. They require no extra care. The seeds are sown indoors in the North, in order to secure as much of the crop as possible before frost. Most of the cultivated species are long-season plants, and therefore need to be forwarded in the spring. The high colors of P. Alkekengi and P. Franchetii do not develop until the fruit is ripe; give a warm, sunny exposure: the plants do not withstand frost; let the plants stand 1 to 2 feet apart in the row.

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