Ground Cherry. (Physalis Pruinosa)

**Durgan** · 10-04-2011, 11:20 PM

4 October 2011 Ground Cherry. (Physalis Pruinosa) 4 October 2011 Ground Cherry. (Physalis Pruinosa) aka Aunt Molly Ground Cherry

Three pounds of ground cherries were picked from two plants. The cleaned weight is 2.5 pounds. They may be eaten raw or cooked. I prefer them cooked. They have a most pleasant taste similar to cooked peaches. They take a long season, so I start the seedlings indoors. They are prolific self seeders also. Any berries indicating green should be discarded, since they contain solanine. The same substance indicated by potatoes turning green when exposed to light.

**Darlene** · 10-05-2011, 08:00 AM

Love all the variety you plant Durgan. You happy with production this season?

**Durgan** · 10-05-2011, 08:19 AM

Originally Posted by Darlene

Love all the variety you plant Durgan. You happy with production this season?

Allowing for adverse weather conditions, production was reasonable. A severe,wet Spring and dry July inhibited growth. No plants produced exceptional results, but what was harvested was more than tolerable.

A plus, there were few insects. I suspect next year will be better in this category, since fewer to reproduce next year.

I did learn something. Plants can survive very well with less watering. Often production is not exceptional, but is sufficient. The bit of watering, that I did was carefully considered, particularly regarding the fruit trees and bush berries.

The four 50 gallon drums where I collect rainwater was all that was used. I never used city water. After each rain I would empty the drums awaiting the next downpour.

**Ceashels** · 10-05-2011, 08:26 AM

I've never heard of them but they look really good. Do you eat them as a stewed fruit when they are cooked?

**Trishagirl** · 10-05-2011, 08:41 AM

Durgan aren't they also know as chinese lanterns for the skins they look like it.

**Durgan** · 10-05-2011, 09:41 AM

Originally Posted by Ceashels

I've never heard of them but they look really good. Do you eat them as a stewed fruit when they are cooked?

This plant grows in the wild. One poster here found them growing in Missouri. They are seldom sold commercially, due to the labour involved in picking. Ground cherries are sold periodically in Supermarkets, imported from SA and about 15 cent per berry.

The plant is easy to grow and would e a welcome addition to any home garden.

**Durgan** · 10-05-2011, 06:58 PM

Originally Posted by Trishagirl

Durgan aren't they also know as chinese lanterns for the skins they look like it.

Chinese lantern is the same family as the Physalis pruinosa. Actually there are quite a few members of the Physalis family.

Chinese lantern is also edible, but the berries must be extremely ripe meaning very yellow, and even then they tend to be a bit bitter, but not poisonous.

**sinopa27** · 10-06-2011, 04:32 AM

how did you get this plant?

**Durgan** · 10-06-2011, 07:27 AM

Originally Posted by sinopa27

how did you get this plant?

Aunt Mollys Organic Ground Cherry - Veseys

I have seen the seeds on racks in various stores in the Spring. There are many suppliers depicted on the internet.

**marlas1too** · 10-08-2011, 07:43 PM

growing up near the swamps of florida we used to pick a wild variety t hat grew like regular tomatoes -in bushes-they were red though but oh so good to eat

**sinopa27** · 10-17-2011, 05:36 AM

Originally Posted by Durgan

Aunt Mollys Organic Ground Cherry - Veseys

I have seen the seeds on racks in various stores in the Spring. There are many suppliers depicted on the internet.

thank you for sharing

**annymoll** · 10-18-2011, 12:29 AM

Durgan- I have been letting the ground cherries sit in a bowl. I picked them up after they dropped to the ground. They are a deep, deep purple. They do not taste like peaches, they taste like a tomato, and the have all the little seeds like a tomato!

**Durgan** · 10-18-2011, 07:21 AM

Originally Posted by annymoll

Durgan- I have been letting the ground cherries sit in a bowl. I picked them up after they dropped to the ground. They are a deep, deep purple. They do not taste like peaches, they taste like a tomato, and the have all the little seeds like a tomato!

That picture is not Physalis pruinosa to the best of my knowledge. Mine are never purple always green then yellow or dark orange. A picture of the plant may be helpful, also the fruit in its husk.

Where do you live?

**annymoll** · 10-18-2011, 01:04 PM

I live in Missouri. I spoke with you about finding these along the edge of the lake. On the plant, they start out looking like the green one in the husk. They turn papery, and fall to the ground. Then on the inside they turn purple. ( This one still has green, so it needs to ripen up more.)

**Durgan** · 10-18-2011, 02:12 PM

Originally Posted by annymoll

I live in Missouri. I spoke with you about finding these along the edge of the lake. On the plant, they start out looking like the green one in the husk. They turn papery, and fall to the ground. Then on the inside they turn purple. ( This one still has green, so it needs to ripen up more.)

OK. I am not familiar with the purple color, but live and learn. The Physalis family is quite large and obviously there will be variations. The peach taste is prevalent, when the fruit is boiled lightly for a few minutes, more so than when raw.