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Physalis ixocarpa - Brot.

Tomatillo

Author	Brot.	Botanical references	43, 170, 200
Family	Solanaceae	Genus	Physalis
Synonyms
Known Hazards	All parts of the plant, except the fruit, are poisonous[19, 65].
Range	Southern and Central N. America as far north as southern Quebec.
Habitat	Waste places[43].
Edibility Rating	4 (1-5)	Medicinal Rating	0 (1-5)

Physical Characteristics

Annual growing to 1.2m.

The plant prefers light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and requires well-drained soil. The plant prefers acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It requires dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought.

Habitats

Cultivated Beds;

Cultivars: (as above except)
'Rendidora'
'Verde Puebla'

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Fruit.

Fruit - raw or cooked[3, 38, 61]. The fruit is a berry that is 2.5cm or more in diameter[200]. When not fully ripe, the fruit can be cooked and used in curries, sauces, soups, stews etc[183]. A delicious flavouring when used like a tomato and added to soups, stews etc[K]. The fully ripe fruit is sweeter and can be eaten out of hand, added to salads or used in pies, preserves etc[183]. The plant conveniently wraps up each fruit in its own 'paper bag' (botanically, the calyx) to protect it from pests and the elements. This calyx is toxic and should not be eaten. The fruit can be stored for up to a year if picked before they are fully ripe and left inside their calyx.

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.

None known

Other Uses

None known

Cultivation details

Succeeds in any well-drained soil in full sun or light shade[200]. Prefers a rich light soil[33, 38]. Tolerates hot dry weather[160]. One report suggests that the plant is a perennial but, if this is true, it is not winter hardy in Britain though it can be cultivated as an annual for its edible fruit in much the same way that tomatoes are grown[34]. There are some named varieties[183]. Some botanists unite this species with P. philadelphica[50], saying that it arose from P. philadelphica through cultivation. A slow growing plant[160]. Insect resistant[160].

Propagation

Seed - sow March/April in a greenhouse only just covering the seed. Germination usually takes place quickly and freely. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots of fairly rich soil when they are large enough to handle and plant them out after the last expected frosts. Consider giving them some protection such as a cloche until they are growing away well. Diurnal temperature fluctuations assist germination[170].

Cultivars

'Large Green'

The large fruit is up to 7cm in diameter[183]. It is easy to dehusk but does not store as well as P. philadelphica[183].

'Purple Husk'

The fruit is somewhat smaller and harder to dehusk than the green-fruited forms - it should be used in cooking only when fully mature[183].

'Purple'

The medium-size fruit is about 5cm in diameter[183]. The fruit is preferred by some for its sharper flavour[183].

'Rendidora'

The large fruits are about the size of a golf ball and are easy to pick[183]. Yellow-green when ripe, they have a sweet acidic flavour[183]. This form is good to eat raw, served sliced with tomatoes[183]. The plants start off upright but become sprawling as they form branches and bear fruit[183]. This form ripens about 15 days before other cultivars and gives yields up to 80% higher[183].

'Verde Puebla'

A large-fruited uniform strain, it matures its fruit in 85 days from sowing[183]. The golf-ball sized fruits are harvested green for making salsa[183]. They are somewhat sweet and tangy if eaten raw after turning slightly yellow[183]. The fruit splits before turning fully yellow[183].

Links

This plant is also mentioned in the following PFAF articles: Alternative Food Crops.

References

[K] Ken Fern
Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.

[3] Simmons. A. E. Growing Unusual Fruit. David and Charles 1972 ISBN 0-7153-5531-7
A very readable book with information on about 100 species that can be grown in Britain (some in greenhouses) and details on how to grow and use them.

[19] Stary. F. Poisonous Plants. Hamlyn 1983 ISBN 0-600-35666-3
Not very comprehensive, but easy reading.

[33] Organ. J. Rare Vegetables for Garden and Table. Faber 1960
Unusual vegetables that can be grown outdoors in Britain. A good guide.

[34] Harrison. S. Wallis. M. Masefield. G. The Oxford Book of Food Plants. Oxford University Press 1975
Good drawings of some of the more common food plants from around the world. Not much information though.

[38] Simmons A. E. Simmons' Manual of Fruit. David & Charles. 1978 ISBN 0-7153-7607-1
A good guide to some of the cultivars of temperate fruits. It covers quite a wide range of fruits.

[43] Fernald. M. L. Gray's Manual of Botany. American Book Co. 1950
A bit dated but good and concise flora of the eastern part of N. America.

[50] ? Flora Europaea Cambridge University Press 1964
An immense work in 6 volumes (including the index). The standard reference flora for europe, it is very terse though and with very little extra information. Not for the casual reader.

[61] Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974 ISBN 0094579202
Forget the sexist title, this is one of the best books on the subject. Lists a very extensive range of useful plants from around the world with very brief details of the uses. Not for the casual reader.

[65] Frohne. D. and Pfänder. J. A Colour Atlas of Poisonous Plants. Wolfe 1984 ISBN 0723408394
Brilliant. Goes into technical details but in a very readable way. The best work on the subject that I've come across so far.

[160] Natural Food Institute, Wonder Crops. 1987. 0
Fascinating reading, this is an annual publication. Some reports do seem somewhat exaggerated though.

[170] Dremann. C. G. Ground Cherries, Husk Tomatoes and Tomatilloes. Redwood City Seed Co 1985 ISBN 0-933421-03-6
Only a small booklet but it covers the various species in some depth.

[183] Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9
Excellent. Contains a very wide range of conventional and unconventional food plants (including tropical) and where they can be obtained (mainly N. American nurseries but also research institutes and a lot of other nurseries from around the world.

[200] Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.

Readers Comments

Plants for a Future does not verify the accuracy of reader comments, use at your own risk. In particular Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. You should always consult a professional before using plants medicinally.

Physalis ixocarpa

d Thu Jul 27 2006

i;m growing these but fruits drop off after flowering, i'm confused! if anyone has any tips i'd resally like to know where i'm going wrong.

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