Physalis pruinosa Preciosa

The Physalis pruinosa, also known as Cape Gooseberry or Ground Cherry, is, like its big cousin the Physalis Peruviana, native to South America (Peru, Chile, Colombia) and has adapted to many areas such as South Africa or Australia. It produces small yellow to bright orange fruits nestled in a calyx shaped like a Chinese lantern. Their flavor is tangy and reminiscent of tangerine. The calyx and fruit are small in this variety, the whole can be the size of a large cherry, hence its name Ground Cherry. Its exotic silhouette once again proves that the vegetable garden can be both nourishing and aesthetic. Sowing takes place from May to July and the calyxes are harvested from the end of June, two months after sowing.

The Cape Gooseberry or Physalis belongs to the Solanaceae family and produces trailing stems, which help it achieve its beautiful spreading habit. Flowering occurs early in the summer and quickly gives way to fruiting, which resembles a green or white paper lantern. They contain numerous small seeds that self-sow from year to year. When ripe, the fruit of this variety tends to fall to the ground.
Nowadays, Physalis are used for decoration on pastries, in compotes, jams, clafoutis, but also in more spicy preparations like the Mexican sauce Salsa verde. And since always in herbal medicine, it is known for its purifying and antioxidant qualities. Be careful, the berries are toxic when consumed green!

Harvesting: the Physalis pruinosa can be harvested from the end of June when the fruits have taken on their beautiful golden yellow color and the calyx is parchment-like. At maturity, they tend to fall. One plant can produce several dozen fruits.

Storage: Physalis fruits are generally consumed fresh. They can be stored for a few days in the vegetable compartment of your refrigerator. They can also be dried. They should be left in a dry and airy place, not in contact with each other, and can then be stored for a few months.

The gardener's tip: Physalis plants are sometimes subject to infestations of whiteflies. These small insects, belonging to the same family as aphids, are only a nuisance if they are in large numbers. A peppermint infusion or even a spray of water mixed with black soap will get rid of them without resorting to chemicals. Natural predators of aphids, such as ladybugs or lacewings, should also be favored. And to protect your plants from nematodes, some marigolds nearby will be welcome.