This indigenous fruit from the southern parts of north america has been selected by indigenous peoples since time immemorial. This Physalis species is like tomatillos or ground cherries that have husks around the fruit, and this is perhaps my favorite in terms of appearance, a very beautiful plant with persistent blooms of yellow flowers and anthocyanin spattered balloon fruits. The slight bitter flavor comes from medicinal qualities that help prevent pathological microbes from colonizing our GI, like protozoan and fungal diseases (such as giardia or candida albicans) and is being researched by “western” academia for potential uses as a pharmaceutical drug. The plants can survive moderate frosts and will remain as perennials in tropical environments. In the north they should be started early indoors in order to provide satisfactory numbers of fruit.