Ground Cherry, also known as Physalis, is a member of the Solanaceae family. Its Latin name, which means bubbles, is related to its peculiar fruit appearance. Ground Cherry are basically have an upright stem, not branched. A flower stem will have false fruit after it blooms in sections, and the false fruit is in the shape of a balloon/ lantern, so it is called a Lantern Fruit in Chinese. Generally, the lantern-shaped fake fruit will turn from green to orange when ripe, and there will be a real fruit inside the fake fruit. This real fruit is edible berries, but the Ground Cherry sold on the market as cut flowers are not recommended to eat.
The process of changing the color of Ground Cherry can be completely displayed on a flower stem, and it is ripened from bottom to top, so the fake fruits of Ground Cherry on the market are generally orange at the bottom and green at the top. This is what makes it fascinating.
Ground Cherry generally appear in late summer and early autumn, and their shape is suitable for autumn-themed floral works, with the feeling of autumn harvest results. When using, it can be opened by hand to let real berry dew, which is also interesting. Even after cutting, Ground Cherry continue to change color until they are completely orange, a bright bright orange. When maintaining, pay attention to the amount of water to the flower feet, and avoid soaking to the fruit.
