Cape gooseberry - Physalis peruviana - €5 per plant

Originating from Peru, Physalis peruviana became commonly known as the Cape Gooseberry due to an increase in popularity and cultivation in Cape town, South Africa in the 1800's. Beautiful yellow flowers that attract bees bloom in the summer and autumn and are followed on by stunningly bright orange pods that eventually disappear,leaving the magical orange jewel that is the fruit behind! With a delicious bitter sweet flavour they are perfect for eating raw, and are also great in fruit salads or processed into jam. To order this plant please contact us [email protected]. 

Context

  • native region: South America - Peru
  • native habitat: Coastal regions and disturbed areas from sea level to as high as 4500 metres.
  • family: Solanaceae

Predators and Pests

  • None observed

Needs, tolerances 

  • Light: Semi shade or full sun
  • soil pH:  Acid, neutral -basic alkaline 
  • USDA Hardiness Zone: 10 - 12 
  • It prefers moist soil

Known Hazards

  • All parts of the plant, except the fruit, are poisonous

Overview

  • Herbaceous Perennial growing to 1.2m
  • It is in flower in July to October.  Seeds ripen from Aug to November. The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by bees and the wind.
  • Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Can grow in nutritionally poor soil.
  • Suitable pH: acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils and can grow in very acidic and very alkaline soils
  • It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or full sun
  • It prefers moist soil.

Characteristics

  • form:Herbacious Perennial
  • layer :Ground Layer
  • habit: Bushy
  • height: 1.2m

Products

  • Flowers: Delicate, pretty yellow flowers with a brown centre attractive to bees
  • Fruit: Raw or cooked. Each is formed in the characteristic and highly decorative papery pod. A delicious bitter-sweet flavour. The fruit is rich in vitamin A, vitamin C and some of the B complex. The protein and phosphorus levels are said to be exceptionally high for a fruit.​

Functions, behaviours

  • Grows particularly well in a sheltered position in any well-drained soil in the full sun or partial shade.
  • Can be lifted and potted up into a large container to overwinter in non tropical zones.
  • If the soil is too rich it encourages leaf production at the expense of fruiting​.
If you would like this plant send an email to [email protected] with your order. 
Balkan Ecology Project