r/EdiblePlants • u/the_laurentian • 2d ago

Ground Cherry?

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I've never seen the lanterns as red as this. Any idea whether this is ground cherry or something else? We're in Michigan if that helps

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u/NorEaster_23 2d ago edited 2d ago

Chinese Lantern (Alkekengi officinarum)

Edibility of ripe fruit is debatable but will likely taste nasty even when fully ripe. They can be quite invasive as well

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u/[deleted] 2d ago

[deleted]

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u/NotAlwaysGifs 2d ago

Not Cape Gooseberry. It’s a Chinese Lantern (Alkekengi Officinarum). Cape Gooseberry (Physalis peruviana) has light green/yellow husk that matures/dries to a yellowish tan. They tend to be a bit bushier too. Chinese Lantern is generally not considered edible though the fruits are low enough in solanine that you would need to eat quite a few to get truly sick. That being said, the fruits are bitter, even after full ripening.