Common Name: Ground Cherry

General Information

Physalis pubescens is an erect annual plant with spreading branches produced at most nodes - growing from a taproot, the plant can be 50 - 80cm tall[].
The edible fruit is generally well liked and is often gathered from the wild. The plant is also cultivated for its fruit in both temperate and tropical areas[].
Physalis pubescens has a wide distribution, is common and abundant and there are no known major threats affecting its population. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2019)[].
Physalis pubescens has become naturalized in some areas outside its native range[].

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

Range

N. America - Minnesota, Wisconsin, Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama; Arizona, New Mexico, south through Mexico, tropical America to Argentina; Caribbean

Habitat

Damp to dry open woods, sand dunes and disturbed soil[]. Low woods, edges of swamps, stream banks, floodplains, hammocks, disturbed habitats; at elevations from near sea level to 900 metres[].

Properties

Weed Potential	Yes
Conservation Status	Least Concern
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Annual
Height	0.45 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Wild

Cultivation Details

Physalis pubescens is an annual plant, it can be grown in any area of the world that has a growing season of 4 months or more.
Succeeds in any well-drained soil in full sun or light shade[].
The plant can produce flowers virtually all year round when grown in a frost-free climate[].
Plants commence flowering about 30 - 40 days after germination and the fruit starts to ripen after 80 - 90 days[].
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[, ]. An infusion of the whole plant is used as a narcotic[].

The leaves are cholagogue and diuretic[]. They are boiled in a preparation for the treatment of urine retention[]. The leaves are used to treat swellings[].
The juice of the leaves is placed in the ears to relieve earache[]..

The fruit is diuretic, laxative and vermifuge[].

The roots are aperitif, bitter, febrifuge and tonic[]. They are used in the treatment of ground itch, kidney problems, and worms[].
The root contains physaline, a substance recommended as a quinine substitute for the treatment of intermittent fevers[].

The genus Physalis contains withanolide lactonic steroids[].

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[].