Nomenclature
Scientific Name:
Physalis philadelphica Lam.
Vernacular Name(s):
tomatillo
 Description

Sparsely puberulent annual; stems to c. 60 cm tall, tending to sprawl. Lvs petiolate. Lamina 3–14 × 1.5–10 cm, lanceolate to ovate-lanceolate, glabrate but margins puberulent, strongly dentate to entire; base cuneate, usually ± obliquely so; apex acute to short-acuminate. Fls solitary. Calyx puberulent on ribs, otherwise glabrous; teeth 2–8 mm long, triangular-acute. Corolla (15)–20–40 mm diam., yellow with purplish brown base; teeth short, obtuse. Anthers c. 2–4 mm long, bluish violet. Fruiting calyx to c. 3 cm diam., 10-ribbed, glabrous. Berry 15–25 mm diam., yellow; flesh sweet. Seeds 1.7–2.3 mm diam., broadly ellipsoid to suborbicular.

[From: Webb et al. (1988) Flora of New Zealand. Volume 4.]

 Biostatus
Exotic
 Phenology

Flowering: Nov.–Mar.