Common Name: Sticky Ground Cherry

General Information

Physalis viscosa is a perennial plant that can grow up to 60cm tall.
The edible fruit is sometimes gathered from the wild and consumed locally. The plant also has local medicinal applications.

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

Southern N. America - Mexico; S. America - Bolivia, eastern and southern Brazil, northern and central Chile, Paraguay, Argentina, Uruguay

Habitat

Coastal sand dunes, sandy woods near the coast, pinelands and prairies[]. Moist soils[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	0.60 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

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

Edible Uses

Edible fruit - raw or cooked[, , ]. Juicy and thin-skinned with a pleasant sub-acid cherry-like flavour[]. Said to be the best N. American species[]. 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 fruit is aperient and diuretic[]. It is used in the treatment of gravel, suppression of urine etc and is highly recommended in fevers and in gout[].

The leaves and stems are febrifuge and slightly tonic[]. A tea made from the dried and powdered aerial parts of the plant is used to treat intestinal cramps. They are used in the treatment of the malaise that follows malaria, and for weak or anaemic people[].

The root has been used as a dressing on wounds[].

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.