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Need ID confirmation on ground cherry (Physalis) species

14 years ago

I have researched and I think this is Smooth Groundcherry Physalis subglabrata. However I am not completely sure.

The main thing I need to know is if it's an edible species and not a poisonous look-alike. I understand that the fruit are only edible when ripe, and they make good pies. I'd like to try these when they ripen but I'd like a positive ID.

One thing I have noticed about the "lanterns" is that they have the distinct purple veining that some Physalis do not have. Also they are indented at the stem end. The plants appear to have no down/hair on the stem or leaves. Sorry I don't have a better shot of the leaves.

{{gwi:300490}}

Thanks

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Comments (4)

lycopus
14 years ago
I would not rule out Physalis longifolia var. subglabrata based on what is visible in the image. Most of the ground cherries are edible AFAIK. If you are going to eat the fruit, I would recommend sampling one and waiting before trying more. Allergic reactions are always a possibility when trying a new food, especially from wild plants.
catman529
Original Author
14 years ago
If you are going to eat the fruit, I would recommend sampling one and waiting before trying more.

That's what I had in mind. Also, I don't know if there are any poisonous look-alikes that smell/taste as good as ground cherries, from what I've learned.

Allergic reactions are always a possibility when trying a new food, especially from wild plants.

I wouldn't expect to have any allergic reactions, as I've never had any food allergies before. It's a possibility but I don't think it's much to worry about.

It might be P. longifolia var. sublabrata as you mentioned, and it also might be P. angulata (cutleaf groundcherry). So I've narrowed it down to 3 possible species, all of which are edible so I shouldn't worry about that.

Thanks for the help.
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Some historical trivia: The first explorers, including Champlain, picked ground cherries on their voyages southward along the eastern seaboard. They are very closely related to the tomatillo, but they are not the same fruit. My ground cherry is over 5 feet in diameter and sprawling beyond the raised bed. My #2 plant is in the front garden, and barely 10 inches across. I think full sun is imperative. I planted Aunt Molly's. The seed packet warned they germinate poorly... about 60%. I found a heat mat under the seed tray helps germination. When the fruit started dropping a month ago, there were only 3 or 4 a day. Now I am getting between 1 and 2 dozen a day, and there are many more nearly ripe. I would sure appreciate someone telling just how ripe is RIPE. Lots of my early harvest still had a tinge of green when they fell off the vine. I kept putting them in a freezer bag, but now I am afraid to use them.
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Under ideal conditions, ground cherries drop when ripe, and those are the ones which are eaten. They should never be picked off the plant. If ground cherries fall from the plant prematurely (the green ones) they will not ripen further with time... green ones stay green. Premature drops can be caused by dry soil, rough handling, strong winds, or heavy rainfall. A couple days of strong thunderstorms knocked many of mine down this week. Green ground cherries should not be eaten. They won't kill you, but will likely cause upset stomach if you eat too many. I've eaten a few half-ripe ground cherries mixed with ripe ones, and had no ill effects. Its worth mentioning that while the green ones should not be eaten, the seed within is mature. If the green ones are thrown on the ground, many seeds will germinate the following Spring... maybe even hundreds. That's why I never have to plant them. ;-) ....(The same can be said of tomatillos.) Other than cutting off a branch that was in the way, I've never trimmed ground cherries; but I don't see why not, as long as it is less than 1/2 of the plant.
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I wasn't asking if it's the poisonous one I was asking if there are others plants that look like it so I could do more research. There is another plant that looks similar to it which is a weed for sure. The one I did see flower last year, had yellow flowers with either a brownish or blackish center which turned into what looked sort of like Chinese lanterns w/what looks like a small cherry tomato inside the lantern, but the fruit was orange in color. I have a bad pick of it from last year. The buds hang down towards the ground. (they hadn't opened yet. I would take a pick of it now, but there aren't any buds on it yet.) The leaves smell like bell peppers if that makes a difference. Last year we thought it might have been peppers since we had a tomato plant pop up out of nowhere next to it. We have no idea where that came from, but we did enjoy the tomatoes! :)
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It's a plant in the Solanaceae family, much closer to a tomatillo than anything else. It is not related to tree cherries at all.
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catman529
Original Author
14 years ago
I'm starting to think that I should rule out P. subglabrata. It looks to me more like either P. longifolia var. sublabrata or P. angulata.
lycopus
14 years ago
P. longifolia var. subglabrata is synonymous with P. subglabrata. They both refer to the same plant that is. Didn't mean to cause confusion, just figured one name was more widely used and might help in searching.

The plant doesn't not fit the description of P. angulata as it lacks the dark markings at the base of the petals. Also, it only occurs as far north as VA.

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