Physalis macrophysa — Edible Plant Database

What to Eat

Edible parts: Fruit

The fruit can be eaten raw or cooked. Each fruit is naturally enclosed in its own papery calyx, protecting it from pests and the elements — this calyx is toxic and must not be eaten.

Known Hazards

Where to Find It

Fruit,

How to Identify

A perennial growing to 1.5m tall and frost-tender with hermaphrodite insect-pollinated flowers. Adapts to light sandy, medium loamy, and heavy clay soils with good drainage. Requires full sun and mildly acidic to basic soil conditions, preferring moist growing environments.

How to Grow

We have very little information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy in Britain, though it should be possible to treat it as a tender annual, sowing the seed in early spring in a warm greenhouse and planting out after the last expected frosts. There is some confusion over the name of this species. It might be no more than a synonym for P. subglabrata, which itself might be no more than a sub-species of P virginiana. 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 usually quick and reliable; diurnal temperature fluctuations help. Prick seedlings into individual pots of fairly rich soil once large enough to handle, then plant out after the last expected frost, with cloche protection if needed until established.

Medicinal Uses

No medicinal uses are known.

Other Uses

No other uses are known.

Wikipedia

A perennial growing to 1.5m tall and frost-tender with hermaphrodite insect-pollinated flowers. Adapts to light sandy, medium loamy, and heavy clay soils with good drainage. Requires full sun and mildly acidic to basic soil conditions, preferring moist growing environments.