Physalis crassifolia
Benth.
Yellow Nightshade Ground-cherry
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Summary
Source: WikipediaPhysalis crassifolia is a species of flowering plant in the nightshade family known by the common names yellow nightshade groundcherry and thick-leaf ground-cherry. It is native to the southwestern United States and northern Mexico, where it can be found in rocky, dry desert and mountain habitat. This is a perennial herb producing a ridged, angular, branching stem approaching 80 cm long, taking a clumped, matted, or erect form. The fleshy oval leaves are 1 to 3 cm long and have smooth, wavy, or bluntly toothed edges. The herbage is glandular and coated in short hairs. The yellow flowers growing from the leaf axils are widely bell-shaped, vaguely five-lobed, and around 2 cm wide. The star-shaped calyx of sepals at the base of the flower enlarges as the fruit develops, becoming an inflated, angled lanternlike structure about 2 cm long, which contains the berry.
Description
Frost-tender dwarf perennial reaching 30 centimeters. Hermaphroditic flowers attract insect pollinators. Tolerates sandy, loamy, and clay soils with good drainage in mildly acidic to alkaline pH range. Full sun essential. Accommodates dry to moist soil conditions.
Edible Uses
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.
Medicinal Uses
None known.
Known Hazards
Although no specific mention has been seen for this species, it belongs to a genus where many of the members have poisonous leaves and stems, though the full ripe fruits are usually edible.
Distribution
It is a temperate plant.
Where It Grows
North America, USA,
Cultivation
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.
Other Uses
None known.
Notes
There are about 75-100 Physalis species.
References (2)
- Plants for a Future database, The Field, Penpol, Lostwithiel, Cornwall, PL22 0NG, UK. http://www.scs.leeds.ac.uk/pfaf/
- World Checklist of Useful Plant Species 2020. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
