Physalis pruinosa

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Physalis pruinosa
Physalis pruinosa habit.jpg
Scientific classification edit
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Solanales
Family: Solanaceae
Genus: Physalis
Species:
P. pruinosa
Binomial name
Physalis pruinosa
L.

Physalis pruinosa is a plant in the genus Physalis in the nightshade family Solanaceae, often referred to as ground cherry or husk tomato. It is a native species in a range extending from northern Mexico through Central America.[1] The plant has a low, spreading habit, and fruits develop in a papery husk, as is characteristic of the genus. While most parts of the plant are toxic to humans due to the presence of solanine and solanidine,[2] the fruit becomes edible (and sweet) once it has ripened to yellow. (The papery husk, a calyx, remains toxic and should not be eaten.) The fruit's flavor is similar in some respects to that of a ripe tomatillo, but notably has a strong flavor of pineapple as well, a fact reflected in the name of a common commercial variety, "Cossack Pineapple".

It is currently the subject of research into the possibility of developing a genetically modified variety for industrialized agriculture.[3] The research involves CRISPR genome editing which may be able to accelerate the domestication process.[4]

References[]

  1. ^ USDA National Plant Germplasm System
  2. ^ Ground Cherry Ripeness, answers from a Hennepin County Master Gardener, July 13, 2019
  3. ^ "This Wild Plant Could Be the Next Strawberry", Research News release, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, October 1, 2018
  4. ^ Dockrill, Peter. "Meet The Weird Fruit That Could Soon Become as Common as a Strawberry". ScienceAlert. Retrieved 2018-10-02.
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