Solanaceae
Physalis angulata
Cutleaf Groundcherry · mnavunavu
H
Not currently in the nursery
We can propagate most native species on request — get in touch to discuss timeline and quantity.
About
This erect annual herb grows up to 1-2 metres tall with angled, often hairless stems and dark green, ovate to lanceolate leaves with serrate or wavy-toothed margins. Its pale yellow, five-sided flowers develop into yellow-orange, edible berries, each enclosed within an inflated, papery, balloon-like calyx. While the ripe fruit is consumed raw or cooked, other parts of the plant are considered poisonous.
Where it works in Kilifi
This adaptable annual thrives in full sun to light shade and prefers well-drained, loamy soil with consistent moisture. It is suitable for open garden beds, disturbed ground restoration, or as an edible plant in a food garden.
Growing notes
This is a fast-growing annual herb, reaching 0.8-1 metre in height. It requires regular watering but tolerates partial drying of the soil between waterings. All parts of the plant, except the fully ripe yellow-orange fruit, are considered toxic and should not be ingested.
Sources
Researched with web grounding from: wikipedia.org, levypreserve.org, flowersofindia.net, nih.gov, cabidigitallibrary.org, eattheweeds.com. Please verify with local knowledge before relying on these notes.