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Common Name: Strawberry Tomato

General Information

Physalis pruinosa is an annual plant that can grow up to 0.60 metres tall.
It is harvested from the wild for local use as a food.

Known Hazards

All parts of the plant, except the fruit, are poisonous[, ].

Botanical References

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Range

Eastern N. America - Wisconsin, New York and south to Florida.

Habitat

Dry open often sandy soils, old fields and wasteland[].

Properties

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.
Similar to P. peruviana[].

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw or cooked in pies, preserves etc[]. A delicious bitter sweet flavour. 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[].