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Common Name: Ground Cherry

General Information

Physalis pubescens is an annual plant that can grow up to 0.45 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

N. America - Wisconsin, Virginia, Ohio. Indiana and southwards.

Habitat

Damp to dry open woods, sand dunes and disturbed soil[]

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Annual
Height	0.45 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Succeeds in any well-drained soil in full sun or light shade[].
Cultivated for its edible fruit in the Ukraine[]. There are some named varieties[]. 'Cossack Pineapple' has a small pineapple-flavoured fruit[]. 'Goldie' has medium-sized fruits that are borne prolifically on a well-branched plant[].

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw or cooked in pies, preserves etc[, , , ]. A delicious bitter sweet flavour. The fruit falls from the plant before it is fully ripe and should be left for a week or two until the husk has dried and the fruit has turned a golden-yellow[]. Delightful when fully ripe[]. When dried in sugar, the fruit is excellent in fruit cakes, some cooks preferring them to raisins or figs[]. Yields up to 0.5 kilo per plant[]. 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 will store for several weeks if left in the calyx[]. The fruit is a berry about 15mm in diameter[].

Medicinal

The whole plant is antipyretic, depurative, diuretic, pectoral, vermifuge[]. A decoction is used in the treatment of abscesses, coughs, fevers, sore throat etc[, ].

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[].