The Temperate Database is in the process of being updated, with new records being added and old ones being checked and brought up to date where necessary. This record has not yet been checked and updated.

Common Name: Sunberry

General Information

Physalis minima is an annual plant that can grow up to 0.50 metres tall.
It is harvested from the wild for local use as a food and medicine

Known Hazards

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[, ].

Botanical References

,

Range

E. Asia - China, Himalayas, to northern and eastern Australia.

Habitat

Sandy river flats in Australia[]. Field edges, waste ground near houses, roadsides etc, in porous organic-rich soils in the Himalayas[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Annual
Height	0.50 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

We have very little information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy in Britain, though if it proves to be tender, it should be possible to treat it as an annual, sowing the seed in early spring in a warm greenhouse and planting out after the last expected frosts[]. It is highly resistant to pests and diseases and is worthy of cultivation[]. Closely related to P. virginiana[]. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus.
Succeeds in any well-drained soil in full sun or light shade[].

Edible Uses

Edible fruit - cooked[, , ]. Tastes like a cherry tomato[]. Scarcely worthwhile[]. Juicy, mildly astringent and sweet with a pleasant blend of acid, the overall quality is good[]. The unripe fruit can be cooked as a vegetable[]. The fruit is about 1.5cm in diameter[]. It contains about 6% sugars, 2.7% protein, 1.2% ash, 0.6% tannin and 0.5% pectin[]. A good quantity of vitamin C. about 24.5mg per 100ml of juice[]. The fruit is formed and ripens consecutively over a long period[]. Average yields from a plant covering 2.5 square metres are about 545g[]. 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.

Medicinal

The fruit is said to be appetizer, bitter, diuretic, laxative and tonic[, ].
Extracts from the plant have shown anticancer activity[].
The juice of the leaves, mixed with mustard oil and water, has been used as a remedy for earache[].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - sow early to mid spring 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[].
Division in spring[]. Very easy, larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found that it is better to pot up the smaller divisions and grow them on in light shade in a cold frame until they are well established before planting them out in late spring or early summer.
Basal cuttings in early summer[]. Harvest the shoots with plenty of underground stem when they are about 8 - 10cm above the ground. Pot them up into individual pots and keep them in light shade in a cold frame or greenhouse until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the summer.