Physalis pruinosa
| Physalis pruinosa | |
| Light: |   |
| Moisture: |   |
| Hardiness: | 5 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Height: | 2' |
| Blooms: | Mid Summer-Early Fall |
| Native to: | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Physalis pruinosa (common name: strawberry tomato)
Propagation: Seed - sow March/April in a greenhouse only just covering the seed. Germination usually takes place quickly and freely. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots of fairly rich soil when they are large enough to handle and plant them out after the last expected frosts. Consider giving them some protection such as a cloche until they are growing away well. Diurnal temperature fluctuations assist germination[1].
Cultivation: Succeeds in any well-drained soil in full sun or light shade[2].
The young growth in spring can be damaged by late frosts.
Occasionally cultivated for its edible fruit, there are some named varieties.
Similar to P. peruviana[2].
Range: Eastern N. America - Wisconsin, New York and south to Florida.
Habitat: Dry open often sandy soils, old fields and wasteland[3].
Edibility: Fruit - raw or cooked in pies, preserves etc[4]. A delicious bitter sweet flavour. The plant conveniently wraps up each fruit in its own 'paper bag' (botanically, the calyx) to protect it from pests and the elements. This calyx is toxic and should not be eaten.
Pollinators: Insects
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Known Hazards: All parts of the plant, except the fruit, are poisonous[5][6].
Also Known As: P. pubescens grisea. Waterfall. = P. pubescens (Cornucopia)
Links
References
- ↑ Dremann, Craig. Ground Cherries, Husk Tomatoes and Tomatilloes. Redwood City Seed Company, 1985.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ Lyndon, Merritt. Gray's Manual of Botany. American Book Co, 1950.
- ↑ Tanaka, Tyōzaburō. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing, 1976.
- ↑ Stary, Frantisek. Poisonous Plants. Hamlyn, 1983.
- ↑ Frohne, Dietrich and Hans Pfänder. J. A Colour Atlas of Poisonous Plants. Timber Press, 1984.