Common Name: Strawberry Tomato

General Information

Physalis pruinosa is an erect, annual plant that can grow around 100 - 150cm tall[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food.
Physalis pruinosa is widely distributed, its population is presumed stable and there are no major widespread threats currently affecting its population. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2017)[].

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

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Range

S. America - northern Argentina, Paraguay, western Venezuela; C. America - Costa Rica to Guatemala and north to central Mexico

Habitat

A ruderal weed or in ravines, margins of oak or tropical deciduous forest or their ecotones; at elevations from 120 - 1,850 metres[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Edibility Rating
Habit	Annual
Height	0.60 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Succeeds in any well-drained soil in full sun or light shade[].
The young growth in spring can be damaged by late frosts.
Occasionally cultivated for its edible fruit, there are some named varieties.

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw or cooked in pies, preserves etc[, ]. A delicious bitter sweet flavour. The brown, globose fruit is around 15mm in diameter, containing numerous small seeds[]. 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[].