Can somebody please identify this plant for me? P. alkekengi

[idontgarden]

I live in the Chicago suburbs. I have no idea if this plant is native or not.. I've never seen such a thing. It's so beautiful though and I would love to have some in my yard.
Thank you for your help!
[img]https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v356/to_fathom/DSCN3542.jpg[/img]

[Kisal]

That is Chinese Lantern plant (Physalis alkekengi). I think they're pretty.

I have read that the berry is edible and very high in vitamin C. but doesn't have much flavor. The plant is a member of the Solanaceae family, along with the nightshades, but so are tomatoes and potatoes.

It is a native of southeastern Europe, I believe.

[rainbowgardener]

They are very pretty, but be a little careful with it. It is not native (as the Chinese in the name would suggest 'though I read they actually originated in Japan not China) and it is pretty invasive/ aggressive spreader.

[cynthia_h]

According to Sunset's Western Garden Book, Physalis alkekengi likes full sun or light shade, and regular water. It is "clump forming, spreading widely by long, creeping, whitish underground stems; can become invasive."

It's also a relative of P. ixocarpa, the tomatillo, and P. peruviana, the ground cherry.

Cynthia H.
Sunset Zone 17, USDA Zone 9

[JONA878]

The fruit is used a lot in resteraunts as a decorative top to some desserts.
If fully ripe it does have a slight sweet flavour but is more for looks than anything.

Jona.

[Green Mantis]

If you keep them as house plants, how long will they usually last?

[applestar]

I've seen this plant used as kusamono bonsai. People in Japan seem to grow them as ornamental plants. I love the way it looks in the stage photographed.

I thin they just dig up and plant in containers or bring inside container plants to enjoy, not grow as houseplants. I believe it's relatively easy to grow from seed from year to year if grown like tomatoes.

[JONA878]

One thing to be aware of if you grow it under glass is that Red Spider finds it a real feast.
Once this little beastie gets a hold it's a real devil. so if you want to grow Physalis it pays to get the predators in there pretty soon after planting.

[Sage Hermit]

Marvelous.