Cape gooseberry
Physalis peruviana

Family: Solanaceae

What it is like

Perennial herbs which grow to 45-90 cm high. They are often grown as annuals. It is only slightly branched but is hairy. The branches are purplish and ribbed. They are spreading. The leaf blade is 6-15 cm long by 4-10 cm wide. The leaves are heart shaped at the base and taper to the tip. They are slightly wavy and toothed along the edge. The flowers occur singly and hang down in the axils of leaves. The flowers are white with violet anthers and slightly spotted petals. The fruit is a berry 1-1.5 cm across. They are orange-yellow or pale brown. This is inside an inflated husk. The seeds are yellow and 2 mm across. There are several named cultivated varieties.

There are about 75-100 Physalis species.

Where it is found

A temperate plant. It grows in the tropical highlands. It suits warm climates. It does best in warm sunny conditions. It needs well drained soil. It is best free from severe frosts and strong winds. In Nepal it grows between 900-2200 m altitude. Plants are not killed by a slight frost. In Indonesia plants are found between 700-2300 m altitude but fruit best above 1500 m. In the Andes it grows between 2,000-2,800 m above sea level. It can grow in arid places. It suits hardiness zones 8-10. Tasmania Herbarium. In Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Andes (country/location of origin), Angola, Australia, Austria, Bangladesh, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Britain, Bulgaria, Burundi, Cameroon, Canary Is., Cape Verde, Central Africa, Central African Republic, CAR, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Cook Islands, Congo DR, Congo R, Cook Is., Costa Rica, Czech Republic, Dominican Republic, East Africa, Ecuador, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Europe, Fiji, France, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Haiti, Hawaii, Himalayas, Hungary, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Italy, Jamaica, Kenya, Kiribati, Lebanon, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Marquesas, Mauritius, Mediterranean, Mexico, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Nigeria, Niue, Norfolk Island, North America, Northeastern India, Pacific, Pakistan, Palestine, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Reunion, Rwanda, Samoa, Sao Tome and Principe, SE Asia, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Slovenia, Somalia, South Africa, Southern Africa, South America, South Sudan, Spain, St Helena, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Swaziland, Syria, Tanzania, Tasmania, Thailand, Tonga, Trinidad-Tobago, Uganda, USA, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Vietnam, West Africa, West Indies, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The ripe fruit are eaten fresh or cooked. They are used for jam. They can be dried, preserved, stewed, pureed, or used in pies, cakes, jellies and sauces. Roasted seeds are pickled. The leaves have been used instead of hops in beer. The leaves are also boiled and used as a potherb.

It is a commercially cultivated vegetable. The fruit are popular especially with children.

Edible parts

Fruit, leaves, vegetable

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed. They are broadcast over the soil. Seeds should be 1.5 cm deep in loose soil. Seed germinate irregularly. Plants should be spaced 45 cm apart. In the tropics plants keep growing from year to year but in the subtropics they regrow from seed each year. Plants can be grown from softwood cuttings from the upper parts of the shoots. Seedlings can be transplanted.

Plants produce in 1 year. A single plant can produce 300 fruit. Fruit can be stored for several months in dry conditions.

Its other names

Local names

Aguaymanto, Appelliefie, Awxetecha, Aztec berry, Bari-papaton, Bolsa de amor, Bosiya, Buddabasara, Buhkol, Butuanyil, Buufu, Capuli, Cecendet badak, Ceplukan, Cereza del Peru, Chinese lantern, Chirboti, Chirput, Chunchoch, Deng long guo, Donam as, Entutu, Entutunu, Etagoli loapolon, Giant ground cherry, Gobbayas, Golden berry, Goldenberry, Gongor, Gooseberry-tomato, Guchavo, Gudde hannu, Gumbais, Gusboeri, Habit bokbok, Harankash, Hawteta, Hozuki, Hpaung-hpaung-ti, Inca berry, Jam, Jamo, Jamu, Jangali mewa, Kala-myetsi-pinzauk-gyi, Kamaigomara, Karimpotti, Khaokhashi, Korelashii, Lobo-lobahan, Loliy, Luketa karma, Maree'ra, Mchupwa, Mewar rashberry, Moti popti, Motojobobo embolsado, Msupu, Mtumbua, Murungudane, Nsongwa, Ntongo, Ntuntunu, Ntuutu, Pa'ina, Perijsko volčje jabolko, Peruvian ground-cherry, Peruvian-cherry, Phopti, Poha, Pok pok, Ras bhari, Rasbharry, Sambaruf, Shawa, Songwa, Subba ruufoo, Tankari, Te baraki, Tepari, Thamungwal, Thebong kang, Tholtakkali, Tipari, Tipariya, Tongogwai, Tunaye, Uchuba, Uchuva, Uvilla, Vejigon, Voanaka, Xoosi

Synonyms

Physalis chenopodifolia Lam.; Physalis pruinosa; Physalis edulis Sims; Physalis pubescens L.; and others