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Physalis
Physalis
Physalis
Physalis
Physalis (Physalis)
Physalis produce small round fruits that look a little like tomatoes, and are sometimes known as husk tomatoes. You may also hear them called poha berries or golden berries. They often have a distinctive papery cover around the fruit.
Lifespan
Lifespan
Perennial
info

Key Facts About Physalis

Attributes of Physalis

Plant Height
70 cm
Spread
90 cm
Flower Color
White
Yellow
Brown
Leaf type
Deciduous
distribution

Distribution of Physalis

Distribution Map of Physalis

distribution map
Native
Cultivated
Invasive
Potentially invasive
Exotic
No species reported
habit
care detail

How to Grow and Care for Physalis

how to grow and care
Belonging to the nightshade family, the 'physalis' genus is marked by low maintenance requirements, but with specific care needs. In terms of basic care, physalis plants favor full sun to partial shade, well-draining soil, and moderate watering. Shifting to common challenges, physalis can be sensitive to over-watering and susceptible to aphid infestations. Seasonal considerations include cutting back the plants after the first frost in autumn and monitoring water levels vigilantly during summer to avoid drought stress.
More Info About Caring for Physalis
species

Exploring the Physalis Plants

8 most common species:
Physalis peruviana
Cape gooseberry
Cape gooseberry (Physalis peruviana) is a perennial shrub species native to South America. This species has been cultivated by humans for a very long time, and can be traced to the Incan civilization. Cape gooseberry grows optimally in fertile, slightly acidic soil in full sun.
Physalis lagascae
Physalis lagascae
Physalis lagascae (Physalis lagascae) is a perennial herb native to tropical America and has fruits with a cherry-like flavor. Although it is occasionally cultivated for its editable fruit, it is a common weed thrive in disturbed lands with dry seasons.
Physalis philadelphica
Tomatillo
If you've ever enjoyed a salsa verde sauce, chances are you've eaten a tomatillo. These fruits have long shelf-lives and are used extensively in cooking, particularly in Mexican and Central American green sauces. The fruit grows within a husk, which is removed before consumption (all parts of the plant are poisonous except the fruit). In addition to its use in sauces, tomatillo can be used as a tomato substitute or dried and carried as a snack.
Physalis angulata
Cutleaf groundcherry
Physalis angulata is an annual plant belonging to the nightshade family Solanaceae. It has dark green leaves that are roughly oval, and often have tooth shapes around the edge. The flowers are a pale yellow and the yellow-orange fruits are wrapped inside a balloon-like calyx, which is toxic and should not be eaten.
Physalis heterophylla
Clammy ground cherry
Clammy ground cherry (Physalis heterophylla) is a member of the Nightshade family. When the fruit of this plant ripens, it turns yellow, and it can be consumed by human beings. It is a North American native. This perennial can reach heights of up to 49 cm. The stems and leaves feel clammy.
Physalis longifolia
Longleaf groundcherry
Longleaf groundcherry (Physalis longifolia) is also known as the “Wild Tomatillo.” The yellowish-green fruit is edible and tastes like an unripe strawberry. Longleaf groundcherry is indigenous to North America.
Physalis virginiana
Virginia groundcherry
The virginia groundcherry (Physalis virginiana) has blue-green foliage and yellow flowers which hang downwards. As can be expected of a member of the nightshade family, parts of the plant are toxic, but the yellow-orange fruit is edible when ripe. Each fruit is contained in a papery calyx, like a gooseberry, to protect it from pests and the elements.
Physalis cinerascens
Smallflower Groundcherry
As with all Physalis species, Physalis cinerascens has a distinctive papery outer covering around the fruit. The tomato-like fruit with this papery covering looks like a Chinese lantern. Smallflower Groundcherry is pollinated by so-called solitary bees, but the plant mainly spreads through its rhizomes.

All Species of Physalis

Cape gooseberry
Physalis peruviana
Cape gooseberry
Cape gooseberry (Physalis peruviana) is a perennial shrub species native to South America. This species has been cultivated by humans for a very long time, and can be traced to the Incan civilization. Cape gooseberry grows optimally in fertile, slightly acidic soil in full sun.
Physalis lagascae
Physalis lagascae
Physalis lagascae
Physalis lagascae (Physalis lagascae) is a perennial herb native to tropical America and has fruits with a cherry-like flavor. Although it is occasionally cultivated for its editable fruit, it is a common weed thrive in disturbed lands with dry seasons.
Tomatillo
Physalis philadelphica
Tomatillo
If you've ever enjoyed a salsa verde sauce, chances are you've eaten a tomatillo. These fruits have long shelf-lives and are used extensively in cooking, particularly in Mexican and Central American green sauces. The fruit grows within a husk, which is removed before consumption (all parts of the plant are poisonous except the fruit). In addition to its use in sauces, tomatillo can be used as a tomato substitute or dried and carried as a snack.
Cutleaf groundcherry
Physalis angulata
Cutleaf groundcherry
Physalis angulata is an annual plant belonging to the nightshade family Solanaceae. It has dark green leaves that are roughly oval, and often have tooth shapes around the edge. The flowers are a pale yellow and the yellow-orange fruits are wrapped inside a balloon-like calyx, which is toxic and should not be eaten.
Clammy ground cherry
Physalis heterophylla
Clammy ground cherry
Clammy ground cherry (Physalis heterophylla) is a member of the Nightshade family. When the fruit of this plant ripens, it turns yellow, and it can be consumed by human beings. It is a North American native. This perennial can reach heights of up to 49 cm. The stems and leaves feel clammy.
Longleaf groundcherry
Physalis longifolia
Longleaf groundcherry
Longleaf groundcherry (Physalis longifolia) is also known as the “Wild Tomatillo.” The yellowish-green fruit is edible and tastes like an unripe strawberry. Longleaf groundcherry is indigenous to North America.
Virginia groundcherry
Physalis virginiana
Virginia groundcherry
The virginia groundcherry (Physalis virginiana) has blue-green foliage and yellow flowers which hang downwards. As can be expected of a member of the nightshade family, parts of the plant are toxic, but the yellow-orange fruit is edible when ripe. Each fruit is contained in a papery calyx, like a gooseberry, to protect it from pests and the elements.
Smallflower Groundcherry
Physalis cinerascens
Smallflower Groundcherry
As with all Physalis species, Physalis cinerascens has a distinctive papery outer covering around the fruit. The tomato-like fruit with this papery covering looks like a Chinese lantern. Smallflower Groundcherry is pollinated by so-called solitary bees, but the plant mainly spreads through its rhizomes.
Husk tomato
Physalis pubescens
Husk tomato
Physalis pubescens is a flowering plant generally known as the husk tomato. It originated from many parts of the Americas, and it is a part of the nightshade family. It can grow in many disturbed areas.
Yellow nightshade groundcherry
Physalis crassifolia
Yellow nightshade groundcherry
The yellow nightshade groundcherry lives in desert and mountain habitats around the southwestern United States and Northern Mexico. Like most nightshade species, some parts of the yellow nightshade groundcherry are toxic, but other parts of the plant, such as the fruits, are considered edible.
Husk tomato
Physalis pruinosa
Husk tomato
Husk tomato, also known as ground cherry or strawberry tomato, is similar to but not the same as the cape gooseberry and tomatillo. In fact, all parts of this plant may be poisonous, please don't eat it by mistake.
Longleaf groundcherry
Physalis longifolia var. subglabrata
Longleaf groundcherry
Longleaf groundcherry is characterized by its elegant, lantern-like papery husks enclosing small, edible berries. This perennial herb boasts narrow, elongated leaves and yellow flowers that thrive in open, sunny landscapes. Its unique husks not only protect its fruit but also attract pollinators, ensuring its survival and propagation through various environments.
Coastal groundcherry
Physalis angustifolia
Coastal groundcherry
Coastal groundcherry is known for its lantern-like papery husks encasing small orange berries. This low-growing perennial exhibits narrow, lance-shaped leaves and stems that can vary in hue from green to purple. Thriving in open, sandy areas, coastal groundcherry's distinctive husks aid in seed dispersal while offering an evolutionary advantage by protecting its fruit from predators and elements.
Walter's groundcherry
Physalis walteri
Walter's groundcherry
Walter's groundcherry is a striking perennial herb known for its vibrant yellow to orange lantern-like papery husks encasing the small, edible fruit. These distinctive husks, which swell as the fruit matures, are a key feature for identification. The plant thrives in well-drained soils of woodlands and coastal dunes, adapting to its environment with a deep root system that helps it survive in sandy, nutrient-poor conditions.
Sharp leaf ground cherry
Physalis acutifolia
Sharp leaf ground cherry
Sharp leaf ground cherry is a perennial herb with broad, heart-shaped leaves and small yellow flowers that bloom in warmer months. Its most striking feature is the papery, lantern-like husk encasing its cherry-sized fruit. Adaptable to arid climates, sharp leaf ground cherry thrives in well-drained soils, employing its deep taproot to access water and nutrients, showcasing resilience in harsh environments.
popular genus

More Popular Genus

Dracaena
Dracaena
Dracaena are popular house plants that are easy to grow. They can tolerate low-light conditions and require little watering. Their leaves range from variegated to dark green. Their characteristic traits include woody stems that grow slowly but offer a striking appearance for small spaces such as apartments or offices.
Ficus
Fig trees
Fig trees have been cultivated in many regions for their fruits, particularly the common fig, F. carica. Most of the species have edible fruits, although the common fig is the only one of commercial value. Fig trees are also important food sources for wildlife in the tropics, including monkeys, bats, and insects.
Rubus
Brambles
Brambles are members of the rose family, and there are hundreds of different types to be found throughout the European countryside. They have been culturally significant for centuries; Christian folklore stories hold that when the devil was thrown from heaven, he landed on a bramble bush. Their vigorous growth habit can tangle into native plants and take over.
Acer
Maples
The popular tree family known as maples change the color of their leaves in the fall. Many cultural traditions encourage people to watch the colors change, such as momijigari in Japan. Maples popular options for bonsai art. Alternately, their sap is used to create maple syrup.
Prunus
Prunus
Prunus is a genus of flowering fruit trees that includes almonds, cherries, plums, peaches, nectarines, and apricots. These are often known as "stone fruits" because their pits are large seeds or "stones." When prunus trees are damaged, they exhibit "gummosis," a condition in which the tree's gum (similar to sap) is secreted to the bark to help heal external wounds.
Solanum
Nightshades
Nightshades is a large and diverse genus of plants, with more than 1500 different types worldwide. This genus incorporates both important staple food crops like tomato, potato, and eggplant, but also dangerous poisonous plants from the nightshade family. The name was coined by Pliny the Elder almost two thousand years ago.
Rosa
Roses
Most species of roses are shrubs or climbing plants that have showy flowers and sharp thorns. They are commonly cultivated for cut flowers or as ornamental plants in gardens due to their attractive appearance, pleasant fragrance, and cultural significance in many countries. The rose hips (fruits) can also be used in jams and teas.
Quercus
Oaks
Oaks are among the world's longest-lived trees, sometimes growing for over 1,000 years! The oldest known oak tree is in the southern United States and is over 1,500 years old. Oaks produce an exceedingly popular type of wood which is used to make different products, from furniture and flooring to wine barrels and even cosmetic creams.
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About
Key Facts
Distribution
How To Care
All Species
More Genus
Physalis
Physalis
Physalis
Physalis
Physalis
Physalis
Physalis
Physalis
Physalis produce small round fruits that look a little like tomatoes, and are sometimes known as husk tomatoes. You may also hear them called poha berries or golden berries. They often have a distinctive papery cover around the fruit.
Lifespan
Lifespan
Perennial
info

Key Facts About Physalis

Attributes of Physalis

Plant Height
70 cm
Spread
90 cm
Flower Color
White
Yellow
Brown
Leaf type
Deciduous
distribution

Distribution of Physalis

Distribution Map of Physalis

distribution map
Native
Cultivated
Invasive
Potentially invasive
Exotic
No species reported
care detail

How to Grow and Care for Physalis

Belonging to the nightshade family, the 'physalis' genus is marked by low maintenance requirements, but with specific care needs. In terms of basic care, physalis plants favor full sun to partial shade, well-draining soil, and moderate watering. Shifting to common challenges, physalis can be sensitive to over-watering and susceptible to aphid infestations. Seasonal considerations include cutting back the plants after the first frost in autumn and monitoring water levels vigilantly during summer to avoid drought stress.
More Info About Caring for Physalis
species

Exploring the Physalis Plants

8 most common species:
Physalis peruviana
Cape gooseberry
Cape gooseberry (Physalis peruviana) is a perennial shrub species native to South America. This species has been cultivated by humans for a very long time, and can be traced to the Incan civilization. Cape gooseberry grows optimally in fertile, slightly acidic soil in full sun.
Physalis lagascae
Physalis lagascae
Physalis lagascae (Physalis lagascae) is a perennial herb native to tropical America and has fruits with a cherry-like flavor. Although it is occasionally cultivated for its editable fruit, it is a common weed thrive in disturbed lands with dry seasons.
Physalis philadelphica
Tomatillo
If you've ever enjoyed a salsa verde sauce, chances are you've eaten a tomatillo. These fruits have long shelf-lives and are used extensively in cooking, particularly in Mexican and Central American green sauces. The fruit grows within a husk, which is removed before consumption (all parts of the plant are poisonous except the fruit). In addition to its use in sauces, tomatillo can be used as a tomato substitute or dried and carried as a snack.
Physalis angulata
Cutleaf groundcherry
Physalis angulata is an annual plant belonging to the nightshade family Solanaceae. It has dark green leaves that are roughly oval, and often have tooth shapes around the edge. The flowers are a pale yellow and the yellow-orange fruits are wrapped inside a balloon-like calyx, which is toxic and should not be eaten.
Show More Species

All Species of Physalis

popular genus

More Popular Genus

Dracaena
Dracaena
Dracaena are popular house plants that are easy to grow. They can tolerate low-light conditions and require little watering. Their leaves range from variegated to dark green. Their characteristic traits include woody stems that grow slowly but offer a striking appearance for small spaces such as apartments or offices.
Ficus
Fig trees
Fig trees have been cultivated in many regions for their fruits, particularly the common fig, F. carica. Most of the species have edible fruits, although the common fig is the only one of commercial value. Fig trees are also important food sources for wildlife in the tropics, including monkeys, bats, and insects.
Rubus
Brambles
Brambles are members of the rose family, and there are hundreds of different types to be found throughout the European countryside. They have been culturally significant for centuries; Christian folklore stories hold that when the devil was thrown from heaven, he landed on a bramble bush. Their vigorous growth habit can tangle into native plants and take over.
Acer
Maples
The popular tree family known as maples change the color of their leaves in the fall. Many cultural traditions encourage people to watch the colors change, such as momijigari in Japan. Maples popular options for bonsai art. Alternately, their sap is used to create maple syrup.
Prunus
Prunus
Prunus is a genus of flowering fruit trees that includes almonds, cherries, plums, peaches, nectarines, and apricots. These are often known as "stone fruits" because their pits are large seeds or "stones." When prunus trees are damaged, they exhibit "gummosis," a condition in which the tree's gum (similar to sap) is secreted to the bark to help heal external wounds.
Solanum
Nightshades
Nightshades is a large and diverse genus of plants, with more than 1500 different types worldwide. This genus incorporates both important staple food crops like tomato, potato, and eggplant, but also dangerous poisonous plants from the nightshade family. The name was coined by Pliny the Elder almost two thousand years ago.
Rosa
Roses
Most species of roses are shrubs or climbing plants that have showy flowers and sharp thorns. They are commonly cultivated for cut flowers or as ornamental plants in gardens due to their attractive appearance, pleasant fragrance, and cultural significance in many countries. The rose hips (fruits) can also be used in jams and teas.
Quercus
Oaks
Oaks are among the world's longest-lived trees, sometimes growing for over 1,000 years! The oldest known oak tree is in the southern United States and is over 1,500 years old. Oaks produce an exceedingly popular type of wood which is used to make different products, from furniture and flooring to wine barrels and even cosmetic creams.
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Your Ultimate Guide to Plants
Identify grow and nurture the better way!
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product icon
80+ scholars in botany and gardening
ad
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