natural herbs
Strawberry Tomato
Physalis pruinosa
Herb: Strawberry Tomato
Latin name: Physalis pruinosa
Synonyms: Physalis grisea, Physalis pubescens grisea
Family: Solanaceae (Nightshade Family, Potato Family)
Edible parts of Strawberry Tomato:
Fruit - raw or cooked in pies, preserves etc. A delicious bitter sweet flavour. The plant conveniently wraps up each fruit in its own "paper bag" (botanically, the calyx) to protect it from pests and the elements. This calyx is toxic and should not be eaten.Description of the plant:
Plant:
AnnualHeight:
60 cm(2 feet)
Flowering:
July toSeptember
Habitat of the herb:
Dry open often sandy soils, old fields and wasteland.Propagation of Strawberry Tomato:
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.Cultivation of the herb:
Dry open often sandy soils, old fields and wasteland.Medicinal use of Strawberry Tomato:
None knownKnown hazards of Physalis pruinosa:
All parts of the plant, except the fruit, are poisonous.Plant information taken from the Plants For A Future.