Part Two: Species Proles 187

General Overview, History, and Ecology: Around the

world there are many edible species in the genus
Physalis, including the zesty tomatillo (P. ixocarpa).
Here we will consider two very similar species, the
tender perennial goldenberry (P. peruviana) and the
self-seeding annual ground cherry (P. pruinosa).
Both species are sprawling, woolly-leaved herbs
somewhat resembling tomatoes or eggplants. The
sweet yellow fruits are encased in a papery sheath
like the related Chinese lantern (P. alkekengei).
Fruits are usually
1
2
3
4 inch, although some vari-
eties of goldenberry are larger. The unique avor
of the fruits is sweet, slightly nutty, reminiscent
of a tomato, and a bit musky. Ground cherries
are delicious eaten fresh and are also excellent in
sauces, especially when poured hot over ice cream.
You can also peel back the paper husk and use it as
a handle to dip the fruits in chocolate.
P. peruviana (Goldenberry, Cape Gooseberry,
Ground Cherry, Poha). This perennial Physalis
originates in the Andes. It is grown in gardens
in mild climates around the world, and may
soon become a major cultivated crop. Researcher
David Klinac reports (as quoted in Lost Crops of
the Incas), If youre nice to it, you get a jungle.
You get vast numbers of fruits per bush, but
the effort of cutting your way in is enormous.
Its best to be as hard on the plant as possible.
For this reason plants are usually grown in poor
soils, where they fruit quite well. Goldenberry
will not set fruit well in intense heat and
humidity, but requires warm nights. Plants are
hardy through Zone 8, but need a long grow-
ing season to ripen fruit. If started indoors
they can also be grown as annuals in colder
climates, although some varieties have too short
a season. Their climate limitations make them
well suited for parts of California and upland
Hawaii, but they are not well adapted to the rest
of the United States or Canada. By cutting back
plants after harvest, their productive life can be
stretched out to about four years. Named culti-
vars include Giallo Grosso, Golden Nugget,
and Goldenberry. Some fruits of the cultivar
Goldenberry reach 2 inches across.
P. pruinosa (Strawberry Tomato, Husk Tomato,
Ground Cherry). This annual species is a prolic
self-seeder, making it functionally perennial in
most gardens. Plants can also be started indoors
to get a jump on the season. For gardeners
unable to grow P. peruviana, this species is a good
substitute. The avor is excellent and there are
Synonyms
See below
Aspects
Clumping herb
Edible fruit
Full sun
Poor to moist,
well-drained soil
Physalis spp. Ground Cherry and Goldenberry
Stir-fried Greens
This recipe works nicely with wolfberry leaves,
but can be used for most greens proled in this
book.
1 clove garlic
Peanut oil
1
4 pound greens (about a double handful)
Tamari
Roasted sesame seeds
Saut garlic in peanut oil until golden, and then
add chopped greens. Stir frequently, and
splash with tamari once or twice. Garnish
with roasted sesame seeds. Shredded ginger
can also be used along with or instead of the
garlic. Serves 4.
PV Part2 pg final.indd 187 11/10/08 11:43:53 AM
188 Part Two: Species Proles
several named cultivars available, including Aunt
Mollys, Cossack Pineapple, and Goldie. This
species is also known as P. pubescens.
Crop Description: Both species are straggly, shrub-
like herbs with woolly leaves.
Climate: Goldenberry (P. peruviana) requires long
seasons free of excessive heat or cold. It is best
suited to southern and coastal California and
upland Hawaii. It can be grown elsewhere to
some degree, but often will not fruit well. It is
hardy to Zone 8 as a perennial and can be grown
as an annual in long-season areas. Strawberry
tomato (P. pruinosa) can be grown in much of the
United States and Canada. Some varieties fruit
in as little as 60 days from seed. Starting plants
indoors can give you an extra boost.
Tolerances and Preferences: Both species should be
grown in full sun. Apparently they should get
plenty of water when growing vegetatively and
little water when fruiting. Goldenberry should
be grown in poor soils for the most manageable
fruit production.
Naturalization Status: Goldenberry has naturalized in
California, Hawaii, and (surprisingly) Kentucky,
New Jersey, and Massachusetts. Strawberry tomato
is native to most of North America and has natu-
ralized in Hawaii.
Pest, Disease, and Weed Problems: Both species are
affected to some degree by the common pests and
diseases of solanaceous crops (see the article on
page 191).
Propagation and Planting: Both species are easy to
grow from seed. Goldenberry is also grown from
cuttings, although only about a third of cuttings
take. Goldenberry can also be air-layered (see
page 167). Cuttings and air layers fruit more
quickly than seedlings. Space ground cherries at
34 feet.
Other Cultivation Information: Plants should be
staked or grown in tomato cages for ease of
harvest.
Harvest and Storage: Fruits fall off the plant when
ripe. Their husk protects the fruits from getting
dirty. Fruits can also be picked when the husks
turn dry and papery. Spreading a cloth under
plants and shaking is also effective. Fruits that
are still slightly green can be ripened inside.
Yields can be very high. Fruit stored in a cool,
dry place will last for several weeks.
Uses: The fruits are delicious raw and can also be
cooked to make sweet or savory sauces. They can
be sun-dried like raisins. For a fruit, the protein
and phosphorus contents are very high. Fruits are
also high in vitamins A and C. Note: The leaves
and unripe fruits are toxic.
Related Species and Breeding Potential: Breeding
longer-lived and hardy ground cherries for home
gardens would be interesting. There are several
hardy perennial Physalis species with edible
(though inferior) fruits. All have a running
habit and form colonies. Especially interest-
ing is the ornamental Chinese lantern (P. alkek-
engei). The Chinese lantern botanical variety
Franchetti has larger fruits and would be a
good choice for crossing. (Note: The husks of
Chinese lantern are poisonous.) The widespread
native perennials P. heterophylla and P. subglabrata
would be good hardy perennial parents as well.
Heat- and drought-resistant plants could be bred
from the southwestern native edible P. crassifo-
lia. Ground cherries are apparently difcult to
cross with the related tomatillos (P. ixocarpa and
P. philadelphica).
The delicious strawberry-tomato-pineapple a-
vored fruits of golden berry. PHOTO BY BROCK DOLMAN.
PV Part2 pg final.indd 188 5/20/11 1:53 PM