Physalis caudella
Stand.
Southwestern Ground-cherry
(c) Andrew Tree, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Andrew Tree
(c) Don Loarie, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Don Loarie
(c) Vince Scheidt, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Vince Scheidt
What to Eat
Edible parts: Fruit
The fruit can be eaten raw or cooked. Each fruit is naturally enclosed in a papery calyx husk that protects it from pests and the elements. The calyx itself is toxic and must not be eaten.
Known Hazards
Where to Find It
It is a warm temperate plant. In the southern USA it grows between 1,500-2,000 m above sea leve.
Central America, Mexico, North America, USA,
How to Identify
Frost-tender perennial groundcherry. Hermaphroditic flowers are insect-pollinated. Accommodates sandy, loamy, and clay soils with good drainage. Thrives in mildly acidic to alkaline conditions. Full sun required; prefers moist soil.
How to Grow
We have very little information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy in Britain, though judging by its native range it could succeed outdoors in the milder parts of this country. If it proves to be tender, it should be possible to treat it as an annual, sowing the seed in early spring in a warm greenhouse and planting out after the last expected frosts. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus. Succeeds in any well-drained soil in full sun or light shade.
Propagation: Sow seed in March or April in a greenhouse, barely covering it. Germination is generally quick and reliable. Prick seedlings out into individual pots of reasonably rich soil once large enough to handle, then plant outside after the last expected frosts, ideally with cloche protection until they are growing well. Diurnal temperature fluctuations aid germination. Division in spring is straightforward — larger divisions can go directly into permanent positions. Smaller divisions are better potted up and grown on in light shade in a cold frame until well established, then planted out in late spring or early summer. For basal cuttings in early summer, harvest shoots with plenty of underground stem when about 8–10cm above ground. Pot individually and keep in light shade in a cold frame or greenhouse until rooting well, then plant out during summer.
Medicinal Uses
None known.
Other Uses
None known.
Wikipedia
Source ↗Physalis caudella, the southwestern groundcherry or tomatillo chiquito, is a plant in the family Solanaceae, native to Arizona, Sonora and Chihuahua. The purple-green fruits are small but edible.
Notes
There are about 75-100 Physalis species.
