Science & Nature • Plant

Physalis

Physalis is a genus of flowering plants in the nightshade family (Solanaceae) that includes about 75 to 90 species, depending on the source.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Physalis is a genus of flowering plants in the nightshade family (Solanaceae) that includes about 75 to 90 species. The genus is best known for its papery, lantern-like calyx that encloses the fruit. Physalis is relevant to Canadian readers because several species are grown in gardens and some fruits, especially Cape gooseberry and tomatillo, are sold in Canadian produce markets and specialty food stores.

Description

Physalis species are herbaceous annual or perennial plants in the nightshade family. Their most distinctive trait is a bladder-like calyx that surrounds the berry-like fruit. The calyx enlarges after flowering and encloses the fruit in a papery husk.

Distribution and diversity

The genus is concentrated in the Americas, with additional introduced or naturalised populations elsewhere. Source counts vary, but roughly 75 to 90 species are generally recognised. Most species are native to the Americas, with Mexico cited as a centre of diversity. At least 46 species are endemic to Mexico, according to one summary source.

Uses and cultivation

Several species are cultivated for food, including tomatillo, Cape gooseberry, and ground cherry. Some Physalis species are grown as ornamentals, such as Chinese lantern. Other species occur as weeds.

Different Physalis species are known by a wide range of common names, including groundcherry and Chinese lantern. These names are often used inconsistently across regions and species. The genus name is derived from Greek and refers to a bladder-like swelling.

Key facts

Most species of Physalis are native to the Americas, with Mexico cited as a centre of diversity.
The genus is characterised by a calyx that enlarges after flowering and encloses the fruit in a papery husk.
Several species are cultivated for food, including tomatillo, Cape gooseberry, and ground cherry.
Some Physalis species are grown as ornamentals, such as Chinese lantern.
The genus name is derived from Greek and refers to a bladder-like swelling.

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Canadian context

Physalis is relevant to Canadian readers because several species are grown in gardens and some fruits, especially Cape gooseberry and tomatillo, are sold in Canadian produce markets and specialty food stores.

Frequently asked questions

What is Physalis?

Physalis is a genus of flowering plants in the nightshade family, known for fruit enclosed in a papery husk.

How many species of Physalis are there?

Sources give counts of about 75 to 90 species, depending on the classification used.

Where are Physalis plants native to?

They are native mainly to the Americas, with some species also reported from Australasia.

Are all Physalis fruits edible?

No. Several species have edible ripe fruits, but species and plant parts vary, and unripe parts may be toxic in some species.

What does the name Physalis mean?

It comes from Greek and refers to a bladder or inflated swelling, matching the plant’s husk-like calyx.

References

Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Physalis
Supports: Genus size, native range, Mexican endemism, husk-like calyx, edible fruit.
Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/plant/Physalis
Supports: Approximate species count, native range, edible and ornamental species.
NC State University Plant Toolbox — https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/physalis/
Supports: Genus traits, native to America, edible ripe fruits, caution about unripe parts, Greek name origin.
Merriam-Webster — https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/physalis
Supports: Definition, plant family, inflated calyx, cultivated species and common names.
Flora of North America — https://efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=1&taxon_id=125280
Supports: Approximate species count and geographic distribution across the Americas and introduced regions.