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what is it
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Posted by normy NCz8 (My Page) on Sun, Aug 26, 07 at 10:36
| For the last two years I have had this plant that comes up all over my yard.I first saw it in my garden. I usually pull them up but this year I decided to let two of them grow (they're in the garden). They are about three feet tall and are covered with what looks like chinese lantern. The "lanterns" are paper thin they turn brown instead of the pretty orange color that I hoped they would.I would love to know this plants name. I have been living here for thirty years and have never seen it before. I love gardening and I like unusual plants I have asked several neighbors and they have never seen this one either. |
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: what is it
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It is probably one of the 10 or so species of Groundcherry (Physalis sp.) that is found in NC. Nine are native plants, annual or perennial, one, the Mexican Groundcherry, is an introduced species. Those with a red or orange papery calyx that encloses the seed are often referred to as "Chinese Lanterns" because of their shape and color. Some species do not have red or orange "lanterns". instead thay can be brown, greenish-tan, dark gray, some with black stripes along the ridges.
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RE: what is it
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| Yep. Definitely Physalis. Unless you really really LOVE this plant, you don't want to leave it in your ground over winter. It is extremely INVASIVE. The roots run underground all over the place and if you try to dig it out, any roots that break and stay resprout. Spray and dig in the fall, and then do the same come spring to get any stragglers before they get a foot hold. Like I said, unless you LOVE it. (and have LOTS of room for it.) |
RE: what is it
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| Thanks for the info. You're right donnabaskets it is invasive because it comes up everywhere,I am constantly pulling them out of my flower beds.They even grow in the yard because I see them when I'm mowing grass. The two that I allowed to grow in my garden are going out with the trash today. |
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