Physalis

Physalis is a genus of flowering plants in the nightshade family, Solanaceae. It includes about 75 to 100 species of herbaceous annuals and perennials native to the Americas. A distinguishing feature is the fruit, a small berry enclosed in a papery calyx that forms a bladder-like husk around the fruit, often called a lantern or husk tomato.

Several species are cultivated for edible fruit. Physalis peruviana, known as cape gooseberry, is grown commercially in subtropical regions. Physalis philadelphica, commonly referred to as the tomatillo, and its close relatives are staple ingredients in Mexican and Central American dishes. Physalis alkekengi, the winter cherry, is grown primarily as an ornamental for its bright red–orange husks.

Morphology and biology: plants are typically shrubs or herbaceous annuals or short-lived perennials. Leaves are alternate and simple; flowers are usually five-lobed corollas. The fruit is a berry that ripens inside the husk, with ripe fruits often yellow, orange, or red and about 1–3 cm in diameter.

Cultivation and uses: Physalis species are grown for fresh fruit and for processing into jams, desserts, sauces, and confections. They are cultivated in temperate to subtropical climates. Safety-wise, unripe fruits and other plant parts contain solanine and related alkaloids and should be avoided, while ripe fruits are generally edible for humans.