AT A GLANCE
What other plant is similar to Physalis peruviana?
Physalis peruviana is similar to another plant in the Physalis genus, Physalis alkekengi, also known as lantern flower. Both plants have similar leaves and flowers, but differ in the color of the lanterns and the edibility of the fruit.
The plant similar to Physalis peruviana is the Physalis alkekengi. As the botanical names suggest, both plants belong to the genus Physalis.
But: When we hear or talk about physalis, the physalis peruviana usually comes to mind. It is also called Andean berry or Cape gooseberry. In contrast, the physalis is known primarily under the name alkekengi lantern flower.
Since both the leaves as well as the blossoms Both plants are very similar, it is relatively difficult to tell them apart until fruit formation.
Tip
The most important difference between Andean berry and Chinese lantern
The most important difference between Andean berry and lantern flower is that only the fruit of the former are edible. So make sure that you are actually dealing with a Physalis peruviana before you bravely bite into the berries. This is easy: while the sweet and sour fruits of the Andean berry are surrounded by greenish-brown lanterns, the lanterns of the lantern flower are red-orange.
