Clammy Ground Cherry
Clammy Ground Cherry - Physalis heterophylla - Perennial
I found this wild ground cherry growing in the open near Florence, Colorado. It was loaded with fruit on a sprawling plant. The leaves are grey/green and slightly sticky and the fruits are born in papery husks. The flowers are a pale yellow and sometimes with a maroon throat -beautiful!
It is important that you do not eat unripe fruits as they are toxic. So are the leaves. Fruits are yellow when ripe and sweet and delicious. Wait for the papery husks to turn from green to tan. It is important to identify correctly when gathering wild food for this very reason.
I love to find and offer wild, native food and this plant will produce!
To sow, plant the seed on the surface or very lightly cover with sand, it needs light to germinate. I like to direct seed this plant where I want it and since it is a perennial, plant it where it can thrive for many years to come. You can start these in pots in winter but wait for warm soil and warm nights to plant it out.
Native.