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| Can someone help me identify this plant? I found them growing up on Cape Cod in Massachusetts at a bungalow colonoy where we vacation. The woman who planted them didn't even know what they were. They are shrubs which take fairly heavy shade, and produce pods that look like orange paper lanterns. (Picture of pods included.) I guess the Cape would be zone 5?
Thank you. |
Image link: Unkown perennial with orange paper lantern pods (15 k)
Follow-Up Postings:
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- Posted by marcella z5 W.VA. (gramsgarden11@hotmail.com) on Thu, Sep 28, 06 at 13:11
| Hi i have these growing in my yard I was told they were Chinese laterns,Thanks marcella |
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| In my experience, the orange chinese lanterns, Physalis, are perennials and are extremely invasive. Maybe that is why they seem to grow anywhere, behave like shrubs, and will even grow in shady areas. They are also very hard to get rid of because of their spreading underground runners, as any piece left in the soil will resprout and grow. This from another website: Chinese lantern, Physalis alkekengi, grows to two feet tall and bears small, white flowers followed by large, balloon-like husks. Inside each 2-inch long husk is a small edible but tasteless scarlet fruit. The Chinese lantern plant is valued for its inflated orange-red seed coverings which resemble miniature Chinese lanterns. For winter bouquets, cut the stems in fall just as the lanterns turn color, remove the leaves and hang them, right side up, to dry in a shady, airy place. Propagation from seed is easy, and the plants often self-sow in the garden. Set Chinese lantern plants from 2 to 3 feet apart as they tend to spread and overwhelm other garden plants. Physalis alkekengi has several distinct varieties. The one known as 'Franchetii' is most robust, while 'Bunyardii' is compact and free-flowering. 'Major' has exceptionally large lanterns while those of the form called 'Monstrosa' are curiously contorted. The variety 'Nana' grows only 6 inches high. |
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- Posted by playsinthedirt20 z6 HudsonValley (My Page) on Mon, Oct 2, 06 at 2:02
| Thank you! I'm going to try to find a source for them in my area. I really like them, and don't mind if they spread. And they'll remind me of our vacation getaway on beautiful Cape Cod. Keep gardening! |
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- Posted by christinmk 5 (My Page) on Thu, Dec 28, 06 at 22:22
| Yes, it is deffinantly a Chinese Lantern (Physalis). Can get very invasive in certain areas. |
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