Physalis alkekengi var. franchetii

Physalis alkekengi var franchetii, better known as Chinese Lantern or Japanese Lantern, is a vigorous herbaceous perennial with a conquering temperament and truly unique fruits. Its insignificant flowers are similar to those of tomatoes or potatoes, which are in the same family. It then displays  aerial calyxes reminiscent of Japanese lanterns along its floral stems.  These change from light green to bright orange at the end of summer, persisting throughout autumn. This plant, accustomed to old gardens, will thrive in all soils, in a very sunny exposure. Its vigour is a real asset for large, slightly wild spaces or gardens without gardeners, but it must be contained, otherwise it may become invasive. Its orange 'flowers' are actually the envelope of its fruits.  They are of great beauty in dried bouquets.

Physalis alkekengi var franchetii belongs to the Solanaceae family, which becomes evident when observing its modest flowering. This perennial is native to southern Europe, the Mediterranean region, but it is also found in India, Japan, and Africa. It develops from a spreading rhizomatous stump, with a densely leafy habit of 60 cm (24in) in height and a minimum spread of 60 cm (24in). This plant quickly colonises the space allotted to it. The summer flowering is very discreet, in July-August, in the form of small cream flowers with a yellow centre distributed along the floral stems. The round fruit develops at the same time as the bracts that surround it. The bracts form a closed, heart-shaped, parchment-like envelope, initially light green, then turning bright orange, measuring 4 cm (2in) wide by 5 cm (2in) long. The physalis has narrow, entire, undulate, deeply veined bright green leaves, measuring 8 cm (3in) long.

The Chinese Lantern is a perfect plant to fill in the somewhat difficult areas of the garden. Its vigour and hardiness and its ability to adapt to poor soils make it a good candidate to decorate large slopes, along with plants as sturdy as itself: tansy, Stachys lanata, Cerastium tomentosum, cotton lavenders, yarrows, Damask nigellas, or grasses like Stipa tenuifolia or Phalaris arundinacea that will enhance it. Planted along a path or against a concrete fence, the growth of its rhizomes will be contained. In dry and hot climates, its growth will also be limited. This plant, used for a long time in gardens, offers bunches of stems covered with magnificent lanterns, whose orange colour does not fade, and can be used in dried bouquets. Finally, ripe fruits can be consumed, in small quantities as they are laxative, in fruit salads.

Physalis is also a medicinal plant, used to treat rheumatism, cough, etc...