Allotment Escapee ID please

[alindsay]

Can anyone ID this please and as it was found near allotments, I asume the fruits would be safe to eat.

Mind you the flower and leaves looked a little like Henbane, is it related?





By the way, in my area, apparently we now call allotments, Leisure Gardens......

[aeshna5]

Cape Gooseberry, Physalis peruviana in the Solanaceae as is Henbane.

[alindsay]

Thanks aeshna5

Having googled this plant from your identification, it originates in South Africa and it bears the fruit you named, Physalis, that I have eaten and enjoyed. Quite surprised it is able to be grown locally and there were plenty of plants in very good condition.

However as it is only in flower in South Beds this week, I doubt it will ever survive to fruit, if as predicted, serious cold weather is coming by the end of the month.

I will keep my eye on it however just in case, as Physalis are very tasty and as the fruits would be overhanging the public footpath, I feel it my duty to remove them from temptation.

Regards

[Kayleigh]

People grow them in the greenhouse but they get really tall I don't they will do very well outdoors I don't think they will fruit.
Keep a track on it and let us know if it fruits..

[aeshna5]

I've seen the occasional (well 2) plant fruiting in London as casuals.

[Dorts]

Physalis was very popular in Victorian gardens and I remember seeing it still growing in a number of gardens in the early 60's.
Most popular was the Chinese Lantern - Physalis alkekengi, grown for its attractive, large, papery-orange flowers, much hardier than Physalis peruviana, which was usually grown in greenhouses, but still with an edible fruit.
Rarely see Chinese Lanterns these days.
Dorts.

[alindsay]

I still see Chinese Lanterns in my neighbours gardens round abouts, but never realised that the fruits inside would be edible.

They are no longer safe ........ !!!!

Thanks for all the information.