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Solanaceae FAMILY

Calliphysalis carpenteri

Calliphysalis carpenteri

Edibility
2/5
Medicinal
0/5

Safety & Hazards

The unripe fruits and foliage of Physalis species contain solanine and other solanidine alkaloids and are toxic if ingested in large quantities. The ripe fruiys are usually edible, and several species are cultivated for these fruits[1].

Cultivation Details

HabitAnnual
Growth—

Succeeds in any well-drained soil in full sun or light shade[2]. Plants commence flowering when around 15cm tall[3] Plants are partially self-fertile, though yields are lower and fruit size is much smaller when flowers are self-fertilized[3].

Propagation

Seed - stores well, probably for 10 years or more if kept cool. Sow early to mid spring 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[4]. Cite as: Temperate Plants Database, Ken Fern. temperate.theferns.info. 2026-02-20. <temperate.theferns.info/plant/Calliphysalis+carpenteri>

Pollinators

Insects, Self

References

  1. [1]Flora of N. America — http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/fna/ ↩︎An on-line version of the flora with an excellent description of the plant including a brief mention of plant uses.
  2. [2]The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. — Huxley. A. · MacMillan Press · 1992 · ISBN 0-333-47494-5 ↩︎Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
  3. [3]Calliphysalis (Solanaceae): A New Genus from the Southeastern USA — Whitson M. · 2012 · http://10.3119/11-10 ↩︎
  4. [4]Ground Cherries, Husk Tomatoes and Tomatilloes. — Dremann. C. G. · Redwood City Seed Co · 1985 · ISBN 0-933421-03-6 ↩︎Only a small booklet but it covers the various species in some depth.
  5. [5]Manual of the Southeastern Flora. — Small J.K. · University of N. Carolina Press. · 1933 · http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org ↩︎Getting rather dated now, an immense work covering the flora of Southeastern N. America. No pictures, it is not for the casual reader. It can be downloaded from the Internet.