Sharp-Leaf Ground Cherry

Physalis acutifolia

Physical Characteristics

Physalis acutifolia is a ANNUAL. It is frost tender. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs). Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

Distribution

South-western N. America.

Habitats

Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Fruit Edible Uses: Fruit - raw or cooked[170, 257]. The plant conveniently wraps up each fruit in its own paper bag to protect it from pests and the elements.

Medicinal Uses

None known

Known Hazards

Although no specific mention has been seen for this species, it belongs to a genus where many of the members have poisonous leaves and stems, though the full ripe fruits are usually edible[19, 65].