Physalis Alkekenghi, Peruvian Physalis, Ground Cherries, Gooseberries

PERUVIAN PHYSALIS – ALKEKENGI  GROUIND CHERRY; CAPE GOOSEBERRIESI.Easy to grow, upright plant with light green foliage. Produces numerous round fruits which are found wrapped inside the classic paper ‘lantern’.     The Peruvian Ground Cherry is a small shrub originally native to South America. It’s fruit is edible.. The  fruit is very hard to find in stores,  quite expensive if it can be found, so it is a good one to grow at home! The ground cherry, also called physalis or cape gooseberry) is a unique fruit. With its papery husk, it looks like a small, orange tomatillo, but its flavor is uniquely sweet: to our palate, a mixture of pineapple, strawberry and green grapes — sweet, tart and vaguely tropical. The fruit can be eaten raw as a snack or in salads, canned, made into jams & pies, or dried for later use. The Peruvian Ground Cherry is related to the tomatillo & Chinese Lantern, has a similar appearance. Like its relatives, The Peruvian Ground Cherry has a poisonous husk, so you will want to be sure to remove it before eating the fruit. The French call it ‘amour en cage’ - love in a cage. The plants are fast growing and can be grown as an annual or a perennial in the ground or in containers. They tolerate sandy or heavy clay soil, and some shade. They are very ornamental with heart shaped leaves, spring flowers, brightly colored fruit, and interesting seed pods!They are are harvested at full maturity around July to August. Its recommended to support the plant with canes. Suitable for growing in containers.  Edible Physalis producing small sweet, tart orange fruits. Classic to dip in chocolate and serve as petit-fours