Herb: Sharp-Leaf Ground Cherry


Latin name: Physalis acutifolia


Family: Solanaceae (Nightshade Family, Potato Family)



Edible parts of Sharp-Leaf Ground Cherry:

Fruit - raw or cooked. The plant conveniently wraps up each fruit in its own paper bag to protect it from pests and the elements.

Description of the plant:



Plant:
Annual

Habitat of the herb:

A weed species found in agricultural land and disturbed soils from sea level to elevations of 220 metres in California.

Propagation of Sharp-Leaf Ground Cherry:

Seed - sow March/April in a greenhouse only just covering the seed. Germination usually takes place quickly and freely. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots of fairly rich soil when they are large enough to handle and plant them out after the last expected frosts. Consider giving them some protection such as a cloche until they are growing away well. Diurnal temperature fluctuations assist germination. Division in spring. Very easy, larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found that it is better to pot up the smaller divisions and grow them on in light shade in a cold frame until they are well established before planting them out in late spring or early summer. Basal cuttings in early summer. Harvest the shoots with plenty of underground stem when they are about 8 - 10cm above the ground. Pot them up into individual pots and keep them in light shade in a cold frame or greenhouse until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the summer.

Cultivation of the herb:

A weed species found in agricultural land and disturbed soils from sea level to elevations of 220 metres in California.

Medicinal use of Sharp-Leaf Ground Cherry:

None known

Known hazards of Physalis acutifolia:

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.

Plant information taken from the Plants For A Future.