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Physalis angulata
It is a widely-distributed herbaceous annual plant with common name of Fisalia, belonging to the nightshade family Solanaceae. The plant has perennial habits and is reproduced by seeds, its leaves are dark green and roughly oval, often with tooth shapes around the edge. The flowers are five sided and pale yellow, whist the yellow-orange fruits, which are edible, are born inside a balloon-like calix. They are similar in size, shape and structure to a tomato, but partly or completely surrounded by a large shell which derives from the whorl.
This one was growing in an open area along a pond dam at the Silver Bluff Audubon Center near Jackson, SC.
It is known by several names, including Cutleaf groundcherry, Wild tomato, Camapu and Winter cherry.
Spotted on Sep 7, 2012
Submitted on Feb 25, 2013
1 Comment
supposed to possess anti-carcinogenic properties. Nice pic, Ken !