Poha Berry
Physalis peruviana, a plant species of the genus Physalis in the nightshade family Solanaceae, has its origin in Peru.[2][3] The plant and its fruit are commonly called Cape gooseberry, goldenberry, and physalis, among numerous regional names.[2][4] The history of Physalis cultivation in South America can be traced to the Inca.[5][6] It has been cultivated in England since the late 18th century, and in South Africa in the Cape of Good Hope since at least the start of the 19th century.[2] Widely introduced in the 20th century, P. peruviana is cultivated or grows wild across the world in temperate and tropical regions.[3]
P. peruviana is closely related to the tomatillo and the Chinese lantern, also members of the genus Physalis.[2] As a member of the plant family Solanaceae, it is more distantly related to a large number of edible plants, including tomato, eggplant, potato, and other members of the nightshades.[2] Despite its name, it is not botanically related to other gooseberries.
P. peruviana is an annual in temperate locations, but perennial in the tropics.[2] As a perennial, it develops into a diffusely branched shrub reaching 1–1.6 m (3.3–5.2 ft) in height, with spreading branches and velvety, heart-shaped leaves.[3] The hermaphrodite flowers are bell-shaped and drooping, 15–20 mm (0.59–0.79 in) across, yellow with purple-brown spots internally. After the flower falls, the calyx expands, ultimately forming a beige husk fully enclosing the fruit.[2][3]
The fruit is a round, smooth berry, resembling a miniature yellow tomato 1.25–2 cm (0.49–0.79 in) wide.[3] Removed from its calyx, it is bright yellow to orange in color, and sweet when ripe, with a characteristic, mildly tart grape- or tomato-like flavor.[2]
A prominent feature is the inflated, papery calyx enclosing each berry. The calyx is accrescent until the fruit is fully grown; at first, it is of normal size, but after the petals fall, it continues to grow until it forms a protective cover around the growing fruit. If the fruit is left inside the intact calyx husks, its shelf life at room temperature is about 30–45 days. The calyx is inedible.
P. peruviana has dozens of common names across the world in its regions of distribution.[3] For example, in Hawaii is known as poha berry. In northeastern China Heilongjiang Province, it is informally referred to as deng long guo (“lamp cage fruit”).[3] In French, it is called amour en cage (“love in a cage”), as well as other possible names, such as Peruvian coqueret, alkékenge, lanterne chinoise (“Chinese lantern”) (Physalis alkekengi), cerise de terre (“earth cherry”), or tomatillo (Physalis philadelphica).[7]
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