The Winter Cherry or Physalis Alkekengi

[H.C. Heartland]

This fruit is also commonly called, 'Pok Pok' it is native to Europe, first being discovered near France. I had been calling it 'Gooseberry' which I now realize was incorrect. However, my knowledge of this fruit beyond eating it, making smoothies, and delicious jams is limited. Does anyone have any experience growing this fruit in their garden? If so, what is it popularly used for?

 

[gata montes]

Although there are many varieties of Physalis that bear fruit - not all varieties bear edible fruits and the one that you mention Physalis Alkekengi - even though its fruits are often used in alternative medicine -it is generally grown as the ornamental plant commonly known as " Chinese Lanterns ".

As far as I'm aware the only edible variety of this plant family is " Physalis Peruviana or Edulis " commonly known as " Ground Cherries ", " Inca Berries " or " Cape Gooseberries " - which is the one to choose if planning to grow for eating purposes rather than just for ornamental value.

However I would say to anyone who is considering growing these plants and hasn't grown them before - to do so with extreme caution - particularly as - all of these plants belong to the Nightshade family and ALL parts of these plants are toxic and can even be fatal if ingested - including the fruit - which is only non toxic when the fruits are ripe.

As we already have a thread that contains a lot of helpful information on these plants as well as pictures - I am including the link here

https://www.gardening-forums.com/threads/ground-cherries.2023/#post-23346

which I hope will be helpful to anyone wanting to grow these plants and hopefully make sure that if wanting to try these fruits - that its not the one and only time that you ever get to do so

 

[H.C. Heartland]

Although there are many varieties of Physalis that bear fruit - not all varieties bear edible fruits and the one that you mention Physalis Alkekengi - even though its fruits are often used in alternative medicine -it is generally grown as the ornamental plant commonly known as " Chinese Lanterns ".

As far as I'm aware the only edible variety of this plant family is " Physalis Peruviana or Edulis " commonly known as " Ground Cherries ", " Inca Berries " or " Cape Gooseberries " - which is the one to choose if planning to grow for eating purposes rather than just for ornamental value.

However I would say to anyone who is considering growing these plants and hasn't grown them before - to do so with extreme caution - particularly as - all of these plants belong to the Nightshade family and ALL parts of these plants are toxic and can even be fatal if ingested - including the fruit - which is only non toxic when the fruits are ripe.

As we already have a thread that contains a lot of helpful information on these plants as well as pictures - I am including the link here

https://www.gardening-forums.com/threads/ground-cherries.2023/#post-23346

which I hope will be helpful to anyone wanting to grow these plants and hopefully make sure that if wanting to try these fruits - that its not the one and only time that you ever get to do so

Thanks! I read the other post now. I didn't realize there was one. It is very interesting to me that so many know about this 'Cherry'. I am glad to know that I was not incorrect in calling it a gooseberry. My favorite Jam recipe is very simple for it: 1 part berries, 1 part sugar, boil and then put in the jar. I break up the berries a little with my wooden spatula. It tastes very nice on French baguettes. But I am sure it would also be good in a tart as is usually popular in French cuisine. But since this is not a cooking forum, I will stop talking about all the ways to eat it!