Cape gooseberry

Where does Cape gooseberry grow?

Found in: Africa, Andes, Australia, Bangladesh, Bolivia, Brazil, Britain, Cameroon, Central Africa, Chile, China, Colombia, Cook Islands, Congo DR, Dominican Republic, East Africa, Ecuador, Egypt, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Fiji, France, Ghana, Haiti, Hawaii, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Italy, Kenya, Kiribati, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Marquesas, Mediterranean, Mexico, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norfolk Island, North America, Northeastern India, Pacific, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, PNG, Peru, Philippines, Sao Tome and Principe, SE Asia, Sierra Leone, Slovenia, South Africa, Southern Africa, South America, South Sudan, Spain, St Helena, Swaziland, Tanzania, Tasmania, Thailand, Tonga, Uganda, United States, Venezuela, West Africa, West Indies, Zambia, Zimbabwe

Notes: There are about 75-100 Physalis species.

Status: It is a commercially cultivated vegetable. The fruit are popular especially with children.

Growing Cape gooseberry

Cultivation: Plants are grown from seed. They are broadcast over the soil. Seeds should be 1.5 cm deep in loose soil. Seed germinate irregularly. Plants should be spaced 45 cm apart. In the tropics plants keep growing from year to year but in the subtropics they regrow from seed each year. Plants can be grown from softwood cuttings from the upper parts of the shoots. Seedlings can be transplanted.

Edible Uses: The ripe fruit are eaten fresh or cooked. They are used for jam. They can be dried, preserved, stewed, pureed, or used in pies, cakes, jellies and sauces. Roasted seeds are pickled. The leaves have been used instead of hops in beer. The leaves are also boiled and used as a potherb.

Production: Plants produce in 1 year. A single plant can produce 300 fruit. Fruit can be stored for several months in dry conditions.

Nutrition Info

Cape gooseberry Photos

References

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