Common Name: Longleaf Ground Cherry

General Information

Physalis longifolia is an erect, to decumbent, herbaceous perennial plant growing from a deeply rooted, stout, rhizomatous rootstock. A freely-branching plant, it can grow around 10 - 60cm tall[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food.

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[].

Botanical References

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Range

N. America - Ontario, Quebec, New York and Vermont, then west and south to California, northern Mexico, Texas and Alabama

Habitat

Fields, open woods, sandy areas, disturbed sites, sagebrush and pinyon-juniper communities; at elevations from 200 - 2,700 metres[]. Bottoms, clearings etc[]. Rich soils[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	0.50 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

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

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw or cooked[, , ]. 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

None known

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[].