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(Physalis alkekengi var. franchetii)
Chinese Lantern (Physalis alkekengi var. franchetii)
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Rob Hille
Public domain
Image By:
Rob Hille
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Copyright:
Public domain
Copyright Notice:
Photo by: Rob Hille | License Type: Public domain | License URL: https://creativecommons.org/public-domain/ | Uploader: Rob Hille | Publisher: Wikipedia Commons
Estimated Native Range
Summary
Physalis alkekengi var. franchetii, commonly known as Chinese Lantern, is a deciduous perennial herb native to grasslands, light woodlands, and scrub areas in East Asia and Central Asia. It typically grows to a height and width of 2-3 feet (0.6-0.9 meters). The plant is notable for its bright orange to red papery husks that resemble lanterns, which enclose the fruit and persist into winter, providing visual interest even after the plant has died back. The small white flowers bloom in summer and are less showy than the distinctive husks that follow.
Chinese Lantern is valued for its unique, lantern-like seed pods that are often used in dried flower arrangements. It is a popular choice for borders and can be grown as a ground cover. In cultivation, it requires well-drained soil and can tolerate a range of conditions from full sun to partial shade. While it is relatively low maintenance, it can spread aggressively via rhizomes, making it potentially problematic in garden settings. Gardeners should be aware of its invasive potential and manage its spread accordingly.CC BY-SA 4.0
Chinese Lantern is valued for its unique, lantern-like seed pods that are often used in dried flower arrangements. It is a popular choice for borders and can be grown as a ground cover. In cultivation, it requires well-drained soil and can tolerate a range of conditions from full sun to partial shade. While it is relatively low maintenance, it can spread aggressively via rhizomes, making it potentially problematic in garden settings. Gardeners should be aware of its invasive potential and manage its spread accordingly.CC BY-SA 4.0
Plant Description
- Plant Type: Herb
- Height: 2-3 feet
- Width: 2-3 feet
- Growth Rate: Moderate
- Flower Color: White
- Flowering Season: Summer
- Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Growth Requirements
- Sun: Full Sun
- Water: Medium
- Drainage: Slow, Medium, Fast
Common Uses
Bank Stabilization, Bee Garden, Low Maintenance
Natural Habitat
Grasslands, light woodlands, and scrub areas in East Asia and Central Asia
Other Names
Common Names: Cape Gooseberry, Winter Cherry, Gua Jin Deng, Hozuki
Scientific Names: , Physalis alkekengi var. franchetii, Physalis franchetii, Alkekengi officinarum var. franchetii, Physalis glabripes, Physalis sanukimonticola, Physalis bunyardii, Physalis alkekengi subsp. franchetii, Physalis alkekengi subsp. glabripes, Physalis alkekengi var. glabripes
GBIF Accepted Name: Alkekengi officinarum var. franchetii (Mast.) R.J.Wang