Physalis peruviana Seeds
Cape Gooseberry, Appelliefie, Chinese Lantern Plant
Physalis peruviana commonly known as Cape gooseberry, ground-cherry, golden berry, uchuva, Inca berry, or uvilla is related to the tomato, potato, and other members of the nightshade family and closely related to the tomatillo. The fruit is a small round berry, about the size of a marble. It is bright yellow when ripe, and very sweet, making it ideal for baking into pies and making jam. Its most notable feature is the single papery pod that covers each berry. Because of the fruit's decorative appearance, it is sometimes used in restaurants as an exotic garnish for desserts. The plant was grown by early settlers of the Cape of Good Hope before 1807. Soon after its adoption in the Cape of Good Hope (presumably the origin of the name 'Cape gooseberry') it was carried to Australia and New Zealand. Both the fruits and leaves of this plant are used medicinally but care should be taken to only consume the fruits that have ripened to a golden yellow. If the fruit is left inside the husks, its shelf life at room temperature is 30-45 days. After that one can even freeze them to be used later. The berries are a good source of Vitamin P, A, C, plant sterols and flavonoids. The fruits are said to be high in protein, antihistamine, anti-carcinogenic, antiviral, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. In South Africa the heated leaves are applied as poultices on inflammations and the Zulus administer the leaf infusion as an enema to relieve abdominal ailments in children. In Spain they produce a wine from the fruit to treat excess fluid retention and problems of the urinary tract. It is also used within European herbal medicine to treat kidney and bladder stones, fluid retention, gout and urinary tract disorders. In folk medicine it has been used for cancer, malaria, asthma, hepatitis, dermatitis and rheumatism. In temperate regions it should be treated like an annual but in warmer climates it will perform well as a perennial. It can also easily be grown in pots. You too can grow your own delicious Cape Gooseberries!
