Unusual & Old Fashioned Fruit Trees |
|||
|
Cape Gooseberry - Physalis Peruviana The Cape Gooseberry is a perennial that is originally from South America, as the name "Peruviana" suggests, but is now quite wide spread. There are over 80 closely related Physalis species. (see also Tomatillo)
As the green fruits develop, a large green papery Calyx grows around them that dries brown to form a lantern shape. When the "Lanterns" are brown and crisp to the touch it is a sign that the berries inside are ripe. A ripe berry should be bright yellow and firm, but not so ripe that it is mushy. Berries will keep after picking, but if the brown "Lanterns" round them get at all damp they have a tendency to go moldy. The ripe berries have a waxy feel to them and should be washed before eating to remove the peppery taste in the coating. Nowadays small punnets of Cape Gooseberries can often be seen on sale in the larger supermarkets, but they are quite expensive, so the cost of the fruit makes them a very worthwhile crop to grow. Even a couple of plants grown in tubs will yield several pounds worth, (In money not weight,) of fruit.
|
|