Mesh-like flower thing with a bumpy orange thing in the center

My uncle found this on coastal property in Northern California.
It's approximately 1 inch wide, the 'leaves' of the surrounding mesh do not appear to be separate from each other. The ball in the center resembles a tiny, shriveled orange. No idea how long it was detached before photo was taken, assuming it didn't start so easily seen through.

 

Could it be a beautifully decomposed Koelreuteria paniculata fruit?

 

I believe it very well could be, thank you!

 

Chinese lantern plant.

http://images.google.com/images?q=physalis+alkekengi&hl=en&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wi

 

I believe that this is a Cape Gooseberry, squish out the tiny seeds and plant then in the spring...I have millions of them in the garden ... sleeping of course...

 

Yes Ron is correct.

 

For us in Kansas it's the Cape Gooseberry here as well.....I love the 'shells' on these when they deteriorate...and when still ripe the fruits make a wonderful jam!

 

Beautiful photo.

 

There appears to be some confusion with Physalis peruviana.

http://images.google.com/images?gbv=1&hl=en&ie=ISO-8859-1&q=physalis+peruviana

 

Kremlin do you have remnants of the plant in your midst, then click on Ron B's input, it is definitely of the same family...namely the Cape Gooseberry!

 

It appears same common name is being used for two different species. Used to be the Cape gooseberry was P. peruviana; perhaps this usage has recently been transferred to P. franchetii. A similar example could be Sauromatum vs. Dracunculus, with many now seeming to think the dragon arum (Dracunculus) is to be called voodoo lily (formerly seeming to be limited to Sauromatum).

 

I agree with Ron B, not that I'm an expert but my Nan has had Chinese Lantern's for as long as I can remember...very interesting plants.

 

Having propagated this edible fruiting plant, and judging by the pictures submitted, and that the common name "Cape Gooseberry from S. Africa" was only given on the seed package, it stands to reason, the importance of a botanical name.

 

Chinese lantern usually refers to P. alkekengi, which has red/orange fruit and husk. The fruit in this image looks to be a dried yellow one, so I would guess one of the other species. P. peruviana is one of the more commonly sold and the one I think of as Cape gooseberry. A good species to grow in N. American gardens is P. virginiana. It is easier to grow and produces more fruit.

This was probably the best photo of mine on Botany Photo of the Day:
http://www.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/potd/2005/07/physalis_sp.php

Here is P. alkekengi:
http://www.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/potd/2008/10/physalis_alkekengi.php