Ground Cherry 'Aunt Molly's'
Physalis pubescens var. integrifolia
Family: | Solanaceae (so-lan-AY-see-ee) (Info) |
Genus: | Physalis (fy-SAL-is) (Info) |
Species: | pubescens var. integrifolia |
Cultivar: | Aunt Molly's |
Synonym: | Physalis pruinosa |
Category:
Vegetables
Water Requirements:
Sun Exposure:
Sun to Partial Shade
Foliage:
Succulent
Foliage Color:
Height:
under 6 in. (15 cm)
Spacing:
24-36 in. (60-90 cm)
Hardiness:
USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 °C (15 °F)
USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 °C (20 °F)
USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 °C (25 °F)
USDA Zone 10a: to -1.1 °C (30 °F)
USDA Zone 10b: to 1.7 °C (35 °F)
USDA Zone 11: above 4.5 °C (40 °F)
Where to Grow:
Danger:
Parts of plant are poisonous if ingested
Bloom Color:
Pale Yellow
Bloom Characteristics:
Bloom Size:
Bloom Time:
Late Spring/Early Summer
Mid Summer
Late Summer/Early Fall
Other details:
May be a noxious weed or invasive
Soil pH requirements:
6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)
7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline)
Patent Information:
Propagation Methods:
From seed; sow indoors before last frost
From seed; direct sow after last frost
Seed Collecting:
Properly cleaned, seed can be successfully stored
Regional
This plant is said to grow outdoors in the following regions:
Madison, Alabama
Redding, California
Hernando, Florida
Eureka, Illinois
Des Moines, Iowa
Brodhead, Kentucky
Capac, Michigan
Redford, Michigan
Clarkfield, Minnesota
Philadelphia, Mississippi
Leetonia, Ohio
Boise City, Oklahoma
Hulbert, Oklahoma
Elgin, Texas
Fort Worth, Texas
Ogden, Utah
Payson, Utah
North Tazewell, Virginia
Seattle, Washington
Toutle, Washington
Sheboygan, Wisconsin
show allGardeners' Notes:
Rating | Content |
---|---|
Positive | On Mar 9, 2017, Rad_Greenthumb from Philadelphia, MS wrote: While clearing and cutting the overgrown back 1/2 acre of my "new" house's lot , I found this unrecognized (but interesting) plant growing wild in a depression, and carefully mowed around it so I could identify it later, which I did on the USDA site (a great place to figure out plant species you aren't familiar with). While I don't recall the exact scientific name on that site, I do remember that it is a "ground cherry", and looks like the photo here for Physalis pubescens (or Physalis pruinosa, as it is listed for sale on eB*y), except that the calyx on the plant I found remain closed, as seen in photos of other species pictured on this site. Not knowing exactly what the plant was, I didn't venture to taste it, but marked the spot and protected the plant from being run over so that I cou... read more |
Positive | On Feb 26, 2017, ciervatranquila from Issaquah, WA (Zone 8b) wrote: One only has to do a bit of research on Physalis to realize it is a tricky genus. Physalis peruviana is a different species (aka Cape Gooseberry), so the other listing for 'Aunt Molly's' as Physalis peruviana is incorrect, it seems. |
Negative | On May 14, 2016, malsprower from Daytona, FL wrote: I want this to become positive but every time I tried getting this to grow in Florida, it just gets devoured by red spider mites, and it cannot stand the hot sun. It wilts in the sun and just dies off randomly. All my other physalis grow excellent here. If anyone grows this in Florida with success, please let me know how you do it! Send me an email, I am dying to find something that tastes like these, they taste amazing, I only got 3 or 4 good fruits off these plants before they croaked. |
Positive | On Oct 12, 2013, SheboyganBert from Sheboygan, WI (Zone 5a) wrote: I let the wrapped fruit sit out on the deck table outdoors in the partial sun for up to a week to ripen, nothing bothers them. After seven days or so you'll notice most of the fruit to be golden/white, whiteness more sweet. I had a sort of rotational stock of ripening ground cherries to eat on my table all summer long. I'm digging up my plants and repotting them as frost is expected, they can stay in my garage over winter, make sure soil remains moist, to see if they will survive for a spring replanting in mid-April (zone 4b/5a), hopefully fruiting heavily early May. |
Positive | On Mar 28, 2013, NicoleC from Madison, AL (Zone 7b) wrote: Large, sturdy plant and one which is very productive. I did lose some limbs to weight; the plant will appreciate a little support -- farther out than you'd expect. Ripe fruit has a sweet flavor with a hint of pineapple. Since you really need to harvest newly fallen fruit daily, I had some difficultly getting on my knees and reaching under such a large plant. If I were to plant it again, I'd probably put it in a large pot and place a cloth or tarp underneath during fruiting season for easier collection. |
Positive | On May 10, 2012, JeremiahT from Brodhead, KY wrote: This is a hardy, highly productive plant with small, golden fruits enclosed in papery calyxes. Flavor of ripe fruit is unusual, difficult to describe---though it is very sweet, with notes of pineapple and tomato. |
Positive | On Mar 20, 2012, justgret from Shingletown, CA wrote: It growes well in Redding, California. Now I will try at my home in Shingletown, CA |
Positive | On Feb 1, 2011, Aquarius247 from Lake Alfred, FL wrote: When I lived in Iowa ,as a child,my mother made the best pies using ground cherries. Had a wonderful taste all its own. |
Positive | On Jul 7, 2007, TKinGuelph from Guelph, Ground cherries add a very pleasant flavour to a compote, unlike anything else I have tasted. The flavour is mild, so it doesn't overpower others but can complement them. Compotes I have tried them in have been largely apple-based, sometimes with a few other fruits as minor ingredients (minor compared to the apple.) |
Positive | On Jan 8, 2006, momof2d from Des Moines, IA (Zone 5a) wrote: I grew 1 Aunt Molly's Ground Cherry in 2005, I will grow it again but to get good from the fruit you need several plants, I dont like Tomato's (unless they are chopped & mixed with other foods - strange huh?) but I loved eating the raw Aunt Molly's ground cherry, very sweet & I cant wait to make some jam with it! |
Positive | On Aug 9, 2005, JerseyGardener1 from Deal, NJ wrote: Physalis pruinosa fruits (flavor) may not appeal to everyone. The fruit is tasty though if left to ripen completely. Even slightly green or yellow/green fruits will have an off flavor. They are like quinces in this way. Let them ripen to a full golden yellow/orange. They have a somewhat sweet flavor. Texture (of skin) is exactly like a tomato and insides are somewhat like a tomato but devoid of the pulpy seed cavity. They are all meat..... however they are seeds dispersed throughout it and there are a TON of them. This may make the fruit unpleasent to eat to some. The flavor is pretty sweet as stated and tastes like a mixture of fruits, some pineapple, some strawberry and grape with a touch of tomato. It also has a slight flavor that is unpleasent..... some fruits have it more than other... read more |
Neutral | On Jun 29, 2005, PurplePansies from Deal, NJ (Zone 7a) wrote: Physalis pruinosa is native to easteren North America and is related to the other edible ground cherry phsyalis peruviana. Both have similar flavors. Pruinosa is said to be generally a smaller plant with slightly smaller fruits. It is also said to ripen better in cooler climates. Aunt Molly's is an old heirloom cultivar said to have superior flavor to wild physalis pruinosa. I am just now growing plants and have not harvested fruit yet so will have a better rating etc. when I do. Physalis pruinosa so far has proved easy to cultivate. Sow seeds as you would tomatos (in warm enviroment) and best results are received sowing them indoors (before frost) as you would tomatos etc.) Grow them like tomatos in full sun and rich soil. Stake them if necessary. Harvest is said to be best when fruits ... read more |
Positive | On Oct 4, 2003, JeffSeattle from Seattle, WA wrote: I've read that ground cherry culture is basically the same as for tomatoes, but ground cherries seem much hardier. They wintered over here last year (several light frosts) without dropping their leaves, and some of the fruit even wintered over. They will set larger fruit with frequent watering and rich soil. They make GREAT jam, with a flavor like oranges and apricots. |
Positive | On Aug 12, 2002, TomatoCarl wrote: When ripe, the pods turn brown and drop off the plant. Opening the pod reviels a bright yellow fruit that tastes very sweet. My daughter, who does not like raw tomatoes, (where have I failed her?) really likes ground cherries. I have been told they make excellent jelly. |