Scientific name: Physalis peruviana L.

Common name: Cape gooseberry

Family: Solanaceae

Origin:

Native of South America.

Habit:

Annual herb or soft wooded shrub growing to 1 m in height.

Habitat:

This plant was grown for its fruits which were used in jams. It has become naturalised near habitation in untended areas.

General description:

Stems and leaves

Stems and leaves have a dense covering of soft 1 mm long hairs. Leaves are opposite with petioles (leaf stalks) 0.6-6 cm long. Leaf blades are more or less heart-shaped with or without several angular lobes 2.5-13 cm × 1.5-13 cm. Paired leaves differ slightly in size and shape.

Flowers and fruit

Flowers are yellow with five fused petals, funnel shaped or with ten small lobes 1.5-2 cm long. Towards the centre of the flower are dark purple spots. The fruits are round berries, 1.5-2 cm in diameter, ochre yellow in colour. Each berry is enclosed within fused papery sepals 3-3.5 cm long. Flowers most of the year.

Distinguishing characteristics:

Annual soft wooded shrub growing to 1 m. densely hairy on stems and leaves. Yellow flowers. Fruits are edible yellow berries enclosed within papery sepals. Can be distinguished from Physalis minima (wild gooseberry) by flower colour (cream vs. yellow) and hairiness (only young parts of P. minima are hairy).

Noxious status:

Not noxious.

Sources:

Kleinschmidt, H.E., Holland, A. and Simpson, P. (1996). Suburban Weeds. 3rd Edition. Department of Primary Industries, Brisbane.

Stanley, T.E. and Ross, E.M. (1983-1989). Flora of South-eastern Queensland. Volume 2. Department of Primary Industries, Brisbane.