Physalis alkekengi

Physalis alkekengi

Common names: Winter cherry, Chinese lantern

It is an herbaceous perennial of the nightshade family that grows in an upright clump. Stems are clad with ovate-rhombic medium green leaves with entire to undulate margins. Small, bell-shaped, axillary, white flowers in summer are insignificant. The showy part of this plant is the papery, globose, orange-red calyx, resembling the shape of a Chinese lantern, that forms around each ripening fruit in late summer. The bright calyces provide excellent and somewhat unique fall color. Fruit is technically edible but tasteless and rarely eaten.

Sowing instructions: Sow seeds in summer in a well drained medium.

Locality: Ex Hort. Harvest: May 2025