WINTER
CHERRY
Family SOLANACEAE
Physalis species
Perennial
A race of annual and perennial plants, mostly
from America but some from Europe and Asia.
The leaves are rounded, serrated at the edge and
pointed.
Physalis alkekengi, known as Winter Cherry, Chinese
Lantern, Bladder Herb and Strawberry Tomato, is
from southern Europe.
It reaches a height of one to two feet, with white
flowers and yellow anthers, followed by red cherry-like
fruit enclosed in orange-red calyces of lantern-like
appearance.
Physalis francheti is similar to the foregoing species
but has larger calyces, two inches in diameter,
and reaches one and a half to two and a half feet.
It has been described as annual and biennial,
but has proved to be truly perennial. Physalis bunyardi
is a fine hybrid form, growing three feet tall.
These plants are of little garden value, their
main merit being their usefulness for winter adornment
after the stems have been cut and dried.
Will grow anywhere in drained soil.
Propagate by division or from seed.
The flowering season is in summer and the calyces
colour in late summer and autumn.
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