Ground cerise , also know as shuck cherries or ness gooseberries , are an challenging yield that belong to the same kin as the tomato . This family is called Solanaceae , and it let in a divers range of industrial plant , many of which are normally school for their eatable fruit or vegetables .
One of the most well - jazz members of this family is the tomato itself . While often thought of as a veg , botanically utter , tomato plant are really classified as a yield . They have seeds and develop from the ovary of a flower , which are the defining characteristics of a fruit . So , in a sense , ground cherry and tomato are upstage relative in the industrial plant world .
Ground cherries specifically belong to the coinage Physalis pruinosa . They are closely related to other member of the Physalis genus , such as the purple ground cherry ( Physalis ixocarpa ) and cosmetic Chinese lantern ( Physalis alkekengi ) . These plants share similarity in terms of their growth use , efflorescence structures , and fruit development .
The tomatillo , for example , is a small fleeceable fruit enclosed in a papery husk , much like the land cerise . It is often used in Mexican culinary art , particularly in savory beauty like salsas and sauce . The tomatillo ’s tart and tangy flavor tote up a unique twist to various recipes .
Ornamental Formosan lanterns , on the other hand , are prized for their lustrous orange or red papery husks , which resemble small lanterns . These husk confine belittled fruit that is not typically down . or else , they are primarily produce for their ornamental time value and are pop in dried heyday placement .
Having personally grown ground cerise in my own garden , I can attest to their distinct flavor and charm . The plant themselves are comparatively soft to acquire , expect standardized weather condition to tomatoes . They prefer full sun , well - draining filth , and regular watering . Like tomatoes , background cherry are typically get going from seeds indoors and then transpose into the garden once the danger of hoarfrost has passed .
The yield itself is small , about the size of it of a marble , and is enclose in a delicate , papery husk that turns from green to a fortunate - yellow or purplish color when good . As the fruit matures , it falls to the earth , hence the name “ ground cherry red . ” The husk protect the fruit and helps to prolong its shelf biography , making it a convenient and portable snack .
When fully ripe , earth cherry have a unparalleled sweet - whore flavor that is reminiscent of a tropical fruit , with pinch of pineapple , citrus , and tomato . The taste can alter more or less reckon on the specific variety and growing conditions . Some people enjoy eating background cherries fresh , while others use them in PIE , hole , or preserves . They can also be dry out or freeze out for later consumption .
Ground cherries belong to the Solanaceae family , which also admit tomatoes , tomatillos , and decorative Taiwanese lantern . While they may not be as wide recognized as their tomato relatives , priming cherries bid a delightful and versatile improver to any garden or kitchen . Their challenging flavor and unique husk make them a sport and rewarding yield to grow and savour .
Caroline Bates
