Winter Cherry Seeds - Physalis franchetti

Winter Cherry is a herbaceous perennial whose sour fruits are encased in a coral-red calyx in the shape of a Chinese lantern. They look like little lanterns that can be found in China and in Vietnam, lending a magical look to the garden in autumn.

Winter Cherry is part of the family Solanaceae. It bears the scientific name Physalis franchetti and other common names such as Chinese / Japanese Lantern or bladder cherry. In Quebec, it is more commonly known as ground cherry or cape gooseberry.

This variety is a herbaceous perennial of Japanese origin that can reach up to 80 cm in height and 60 cm in width. Winter cherry produces underground runners, giving it its attractive spreading habit. Its foliage is medium green and the oval acuminate leaves measure 12 cm in length. Winter cherry is grown more for the ornamental calyxes of its fruit, than for its small unremarkable whitish flowers or its sour, bright orange berries. Flowering takes place in the summer, giving way to fruits from September to October which resemble coral-coloured paper lanterns. When the calyxes dry out, only the nerves are left behind, forming a lacy cage that encases the bright orange fruit like some kind of glowing  dangling out of reach. The calyx and the fruit are pretty large and can reach the size of a cherry. They bring a touch of originality to dried flower bouquets.

Winter cherry is used as decoration on pastries and has always been used in phytotherapy, mostly for its depurative properties. Beware, when eaten green, the berries are toxic.