The Physalis fruit is closely related to the tomato varieties in appearance. It grows upto 3-6 ft in height and falls over the land and sprawls on the ground if not given any support. The flowers of this fruit are yellow in color with purple markings which is technically a berry, as the tomato fruit. The fruit expands inside a green and purple bladder-like calyx that looks like a small Chinese lantern hanging from the stem. Physalis has a drier texture and a distinctive flavor unlike tomato. The fruit contains twice the amount of Vitamin C as that in lemons and looks like a blonde-red cherry tomato with a sweeter taste relative to the tomatillo.

Scientific Name:Physalis peruviana

Cape gooseberry is one of the Physalis fruit varieties and its native is Chile and Peru. This nightshade berry is used only for the commercial production in South Africa, Australia and New Zealand. This berry is the size of a cherry tomato, is very aromatic and full of tiny seeds. Cape gooseberry can also grow in warmer climates and it is better as the plants can take only a couple degrees of ice. This fruit grows in moist soil types and will do very well in poor soils and in pots. The main commercial uses of Cape gooseberry are as preserved fruit and for making a simple jam, but fancy imaginary restaurants often use these fruits as an exotic garnish.

Tomatillos are variety of Physalis fruit native to Mexico and well cropped by the Aztecs. Tomatillos are harvested when they are still unripe and light green in color and used at that stage of ripeness. This variety of the fruit is commonly sold in Southern California and it looks yellow in color when fully ripe but there are some varieties that ripen to red and purple. Much used in Mexican green sauces as it tastes both sweet and and the original taste of the tart is also retained. There is no acceptable replacement.

The Chinese lantern plant is naturally found from Southern Europe to Japanis. This plant basically a herbaceous perennial that can live up to an age of three years. This fruit is like a balloon shaped and has a papery texture. The leaves of the plant are shaped like a heart and can grow up to 9 cm long. The fruits are edible and suprisingly, are higher in vitamin C than lemons. Care should be taken though, as all other parts of the plant are poisonous. It is a vigorous plant and can spread if left unchecked.