Any ideas?

Discussion in 'Plants: Identification' started by penders, Jun 22, 2005.

  1. penders

    penders Member

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    My dad gave me this plant a couple of months ago but he has no idea what it is. Its getting bigger by the day, how big is it going to get? Is it going to give me fruit? Any ideas would be really gratefully appreciated.

    Sorry if pictures are the wrong way round or not clear enough, not quite mastered this computer lark yet!

    Many thanks
    Penders
     

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  2. Marn

    Marn Active Member 10 Years

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  3. Eric La Fountaine

    Eric La Fountaine Contributor Forums Moderator 10 Years

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    Thanks Marn. I would say it is definately a Physalis sp., penders. Most of the species seem to grow to around 1 metre, but mine sent some stems to a metre and half last year.

    There are several species. The plants are poisonous, but the fruit is not. The ornamental Chinese lantern (P. alkekengi) has red lantern husks. Some species are edible and delicious. They are called ground-cherries, cape gooseberries and/or golden berries. The edible varieties I have seen have been yellow/golden/slightly orange with the exception of tomatillos, which are green with purple tinge. (There are other related plants in the nightshade family with purple edible fruits that do not have husks. [Luther Burbank's Wonder Berry]) The fruit of the Chinese lantern is not poison, but not generally thought to be edible (although I just saw it described as sweet on a web site.)

    My family grew P. peruviana and called them ground cherries. We thought that the seeds had been brought over from Europe when my family immigrated to N. America, but the plant is native here, so I am not so sure. They are sweet with a flavour between stawberry, pineapple and tomato, if you can imagine that. Tomatillos (P. ixocarpa) are used in Mexican cooking. It has a spicy tomato-like flavour. I believe the variety I grew last year was the tropical P. angulata, which grows larger than others.

    They like warm conditions and can be grown very much like tomatoes, which they are related to.

    I cannot say whether or not the fruit you have is edible. The plant itself is likely poisonous. Perhaps you can take some of the fruit and leaves to a local university, botanic garden or garden club, where a positive ID could be made.

    This is a plant that I think is underutilized. The fruit are tasty and the plant can be grown like tomatoes (almost everyone can grow tomatoes.) They make good pie and jelly. I am sure that a breeder could develop a plant with large super-tasty fruit. There is also evidence of strong medicinal properties in the plant.

    I hope you enjoy your plant. If you cannot determine for sure that you have edible fruit, order seeds for an edible one next year. You will enjoy it.
     
  4. penders

    penders Member

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    Many thanks for the two responses guys; as recommended, I'm going to investigate further but without your help I would never have had a starting point. I'm sure my friends would find some irony in the fact that I haven't killed off the poisonous plant in my garden yet the rest seem to die the moment I look at them!

    kind regards
    Penders

    ps: is it poisonous to touch or eat or both - sorry, that may sound like a really dumb question but it is a genuine one, honest ;)
     
  5. Eric La Fountaine

    Eric La Fountaine Contributor Forums Moderator 10 Years

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    Fruit should not be poisonous at all. It is not possible to make a positive identification from here and not being an expert, I do not want to tell you it is for sure edible. It likely is, but please take samples in to local expert or figure out where your dad got the seed before sampling any.

    The plant will not be poisonous to the touch as I am sure you have discovered. Other parts are used medicinally in some areas. The plant is in the nightshade family, which is known to produce many toxins. Tomatoes and potatoes are in this family. They are poisonous plants as well.
     

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