Common Name: Clammy Ground Cherry

General Information

Physalis heterophylla is an erect to decumbent, herbaceous perennial plant growing from a deeply buried, stout, rhizomatous rootstock. Spreading and decumbent stems are produced at most nodes, the plant growing around 15 - 100cm tall[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food and medicine

Known Hazards

The unripe fruits and foliage of Physalis species contain solanine and other solanidine alkaloids and are toxic if ingested in large quantities. The ripe fruiys are usually edible, and several species are cultivated for these fruits[].
All parts of the plant, except the fruit, are poisonous[, ].

Botanical References

, ,

Range

N. America - Ontario, Quebec and New York, west to Washington and Oregon, south through Colorado to Texas and through Illinois to Alabama

Habitat

Openings in hardwood forests, edges of pine woods, grasslands, fields, roadsides, dis­turbed sites; at elevations from 10 - 400 metres[]. Dry open woods[]. Rich soils, especially where the surface has been disturbed[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	0.75 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Succeeds in any well-drained soil in full sun or light shade[].
A polymorphic species[].

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw or cooked[, , ]. Quite nice raw though rather small[], the fruit can also be made into pies, jams, sauces etc[]. Pectin or pectin-rich fruit should be added if the fruit is used in jams and preserves[]. The fruit can also be dried, ground into a meal and added to flour for making bread etc[]. 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 seed is considered to be beneficial in the treatment of difficult urination, fever, inflammation and various urinary disorders[].

A tea made from the leaves is used in the treatment of headaches and as a wash for burns and scalds[].

A poultice of the leaves and roots is applied to wounds[]. An infusion of the leaves and roots is used as a wash on scalds, burns and VD sores[].

Compounds in the plant are being investigated for antitumor activity[].

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.