What is this vegetable/plant?

Cornwall, United Kingdom

I bought this from a road side stand in Cornwall, not knowing what it was, and no-one to ask. It has lantern shaped "flowers" with small yellow fruit inside. I know it's probably quite common, but I'm new to gardening, so forgive my ignorance!

7 Sep, 2009

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Answers

Mookins

there are many newbies to gardening including me so dont ever feel like that

Im guessing from when I used to work in a hotel but is it a Sharon fruit?

please excuse the spelling
x x x

7 Sep, 2009

Mazziestar

oh thanks for quick reply Mookins, hope someone can corroborate, I'd love to know.The fruit are really tiny about 10p size and they've not grown atall since July 1st and I thought sharon fruit were bigger..the fruit inside actually look like tiny yellow tomatoes..thanks again.

7 Sep, 2009

Mookins

your welcome hun
hope someone can help as Im intruiged

x x x

7 Sep, 2009

Weatherwise

Physalis or cape gooseberry ? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Physalis_peruviana

7 Sep, 2009

Weatherwise

<html><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Physalis_peruviana">Try this link</html> hmm, how do you put html in here!

7 Sep, 2009

Cammomile

Weatherwise you must have answered this as I was looking up how to spell physalis! They are edible fruits but for goodness sake check before you eat.

7 Sep, 2009

Elleme

Yes, physalis. Sharon fruit grow on trees and are a type of persimmon.

7 Sep, 2009

Mazziestar

Well that seems to be unanimous, thank you so much every one, I should have asked sooner! Cape gooseberry, but I don't think I'll be eating it !

7 Sep, 2009

Mookins

Doh... I wasnt even close then hehe

x x

7 Sep, 2009

Andrewr

When the berries in the capsules turn orange, they are ripe and can be eaten. The taste is quite sweet (I've eaten them and lived to tell the tale)

7 Sep, 2009

Bigbumblebee

I agree with Andrew. Cape gooseberries are delicious. They sell them in Tesco.

7 Sep, 2009

Stevebuk

also known as chinese lantern plant..

7 Sep, 2009

Stjohntongue

Physallis, Chinese lantern plant, cape gooseberry, Tormentillos are just some names for this fruit.
Yes, they are very edible. You can use them the same as cherry tomatos or just dip them in melted chocolate...mmmm!

8 Sep, 2009

Catfinch

I'll be darned...I thought of Chinese lantern plant but thought .."no way it does not produce fruit!" Learn something new everyday! Does it need a green house to produce fruit?

10 Sep, 2009

Stjohntongue

No, Catfinch, I have three growing outside in North East England.

11 Sep, 2009

Catfinch

do you get a lot of the fruit?

11 Sep, 2009

Stjohntongue

I've had two handfuls so far and there's still loads still ripening.

This is the first year I've grown them. With the seeds I received as a gift (labelled "tomentillos") there was instructions inside saying to get fruit you must grow at least two plants. Treat and feed as tomatoes.

11 Sep, 2009

How do I say thanks?

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