Physalis obscura
Physalis obscura
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Pl. BAA9 — Physalis obscura
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IOverview
Overview
Physalis obscura, a member of the nightshade family, is an annual forb or herb that thrives in various environments across North and South America as well as in parts of the Caribbean and Central America. Native to Alabama and specific regions in Argentina, Arizona, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, and Venezuela, this plant has also been introduced to other areas such as Aruba, Bahamas, Cuba, Dominican Republic, French Guiana, Haiti, Jamaica, Netherlands Antilles, Puerto Rico, Suriname, Trinidad-Tobago, Uruguay, and the United States (Kentucky, Maryland, New Mexico, Tennessee, Wisconsin). Known for its edible fruit, Physalis obscura prefers moist conditions and can grow up to 1 meter in height. It thrives in light to medium soil types and requires full or partial sun, making it adaptable to a range of growing environments.
Quick answers
What is Physalis obscura?
Physalis obscura, a member of the nightshade family, is an annual forb or herb that thrives in various environments across North and South America as well as in parts of the Caribbean and Central America.
Growingconditions · propagation · uses
VCultivation
Cultivation
Physalis obscura thrives in full to partial sun and requires moist soil that can be light (sandy), medium, or heavy (clay). This annual plant grows up to 1 meter tall and is adaptable to various conditions found across its native range from Alabama to Venezuela. It is best propagated by seed and is known for its edible fruit. Ensure the soil remains consistently moist but avoid overwatering to prevent root rot. Given its widespread natural habitat, it is generally hardy in temperate regions.
Light
Full sun, Partial sun/shade
Water
Moist
Soil
Light (sandy), Medium, Heavy (clay)
Life cycle
Annual
Habit
Forb/herb
Mature size
1.0 m tall
For first-time growers
How to grow Physalis obscura for the first time
7steps
Start with a simple and sunny spot in your garden for Physalis obscura.
- 1
What you'll need
Seeds or seedlings, small pots if starting indoors.
- 2
Best time to plant
Plant outdoors after the last frost, around late spring.
- 3
Soil and container prep
Use well-draining soil with a mix of light (sandy), medium, or heavy clay. Ensure containers are at least 1 meter deep.
- 4
Sowing or transplanting
Start seeds indoors about 6 weeks before the last frost date, then transplant outdoors when weather is warm.
- 5
First two weeks
Water regularly to keep soil moist but not waterlogged. Provide partial shade if full sun is too intense.
- 6
Ongoing care
Water as needed, especially during dry spells. Fertilize lightly every few months with a balanced organic fertilizer.
- 7
Harvest or pruning
Prune back any dead or yellowing leaves to encourage new growth and prevent disease.
VIEdible & utility
Edible & utility
Edible parts:Fruit
Edible uses: The fruit of Physalis obscura is edible and can be eaten raw or used in various preparations. Typically, it is consumed fresh but can also be dried for later use. Skip the specific cooking methods as details are not provided.
Contextrange · companions · related
VIIDistribution
30 native · 0 introduced
Distribution
30 native · 0 introducedDistribution across1 continent· 30 native
Americas13 regions
native (13)BahamasBelizeBoliviaColombiaCosta RicaCubaEl SalvadorFrench GuianaGuatemalaGuyanaHaitiHondurasJamaica
Broader regions
native:Kentucky, Mexico Northwest, Mexico Central, Mexico Northeast, Galápagos, Leeward Is., Maryland, Mexico Gulf, Argentina Northeast, Argentina Northwest, Arizona, Aruba, Brazil North, Brazil South, Brazil Southeast, Brazil West-Central, Mexico Southeast
IXSpecimen gallery
1 image
Specimen gallery
1 imageXI
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Companion planting
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Back to the cataloguePlant id · baa97b48-817f-4c2d-8abc-a5cbb5f3c8dc
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