Downy ground-cherry, Goldenberry
Physalis pubescens
Family: Solanaceae
What it is like
An annual herb. It grows 50-120 cm high. It is yellowish-green and has soft hairs. The leaves are simple and thin. The leaves are 2-6 cm long. The flowers occur singly. The flowers are yellow with purple-brown spots. There are several named cultivated varieties. The fruit are round and in a balloon like calyx. The fruit are orange. The pulp is sweet.
There are about 75-100 Physalis species.
Where it is found
It is a tropical plant. It grows from sea level to 1,300 m above sea level. It can tolerate some shade. It can grow in arid places.
Countries/locations it is found in
Africa, Amazon, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Asia, Australia, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil (country/location of origin), Caribbean, Central Africa, Central America, China, Colombia, Congo DR, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Guatemala, Guianas, Guyana, Haiti, Hispaniola, Honduras, Indochina, Jamaica, Martinique, Mauritius, Mexico, Myanmar, New Zealand, Nicaragua, North America, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Puerto Rico, SE Asia, South Africa, Southern Africa, South America, Suriname, Uruguay, USA, Venezuela, Vietnam, West Indies
How it is used for food
The fruit are eaten raw. They are also dried, pickled, stewed, and added to salads. They are used in pies, preserves, sauces, jams and ice cream toppings. They can be dried in sugar to use in fruit cakes.
It is cultivated.
Edible parts
Fruit
How it is grown
Plants are grown by seed.
Its other names
Local names
Camapu, Canapu, Capulin, Crapeaud pepper, Fisalis, Fislis, Goldenberry, Ground cherry, Hairy cherry, Husk-tomato, Jua-de-capote, Jua-poca, Miltomate, Muyaca, Naniyobo ahuka, Pap bush, Pororu wokuru, Shibero bime, Tomate, Uvilla, White crapeaud pepper, Yurankmis
Synonyms
Physalis barbadensis Jacq.; Physalis floridana Rydb.; Physalis hirsuta Dunal; Physalis hygrophila Mart.; Physalis neesiana Sendtn.; Physalis turbinata Medik.; Physalis villosa Mill.;