Winter cherry, Redflesh Cape Gooseberry
Alkekengi officinarum

Family: Solanaceae

What it is like

A perennial herb. The stems are 40-80 cm tall. They are slightly woody at the base. The plant is little branched and is swollen at the nodes. The leaf stalks are 1-3 cm along. The flowers are produced in the axils of leaves. The fruit is shiny orange red and round. They are enclosed in an inflated calyx. The seeds are pale yellow and 2 mm across.

There are about 75-100 Physalis species.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. It does best in a rich, well-drained soil in a protected sunny position. It is resistant to frost but sensitive to drought. It suits hardiness zones 4-9.

Countries/locations it is found in

Albania, Arabia, Armenia, Asia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Balkans, Bosnia, Britain, Bulgaria, Canada, Cape Verde, Caucasus, Central Asia, China, Cuba, Czech Republic, Eurasia, Europe, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, India, Iran, Italy, Japan, Macedonia, Mediterranean, Middle East, Moldova, North America, Pakistan, Poland, Romania, Russia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland, Tajikistan, Tasmania, Turkey, Türkiye, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, West Indies, Yugoslavia,

How it is used for food

The fruit are edible. They are also used for syrups.

It is a commercially cultivated vegetable. The leaves are listed as a famine food in China.

Edible parts

Fruit, leaves, stems, vegetable

How it is grown

Plants are grown from ripened seed or by division.

Its other names

Local names

Denglonghua, Denglonghuacai, Guajindeng, Hong Guniang, Lantern flower, Ljoskavac, Navadno volčje jabolko, Red girl, Sour paste, Suan jiang, Teleme otu, Ont'k'opa

Synonyms

Physalis alkekengi L.; Physalis alkekengi Lour.; Physalis ciliata Siebold & Zucc.; Physalis franchetii Mast.; and others