I have this strange plant that has popped up in one of my beds. Anyone know what it might be?
It produces teeny little yellow flowers and then has these 'ballooons' that cascade down. I'm assuming they are seed pods. None have dried enough for me to open and see.
Maybe it's a weed though, I've never seen it before. It's a pretty little thing.
Here are the yellow flowers.
You need to post this under the plant ID section. They can help you there.
Linda Kay
I may do that but I like to give my fellow Texas folks a chance to guess first. Especially if it is a weed....more chance of having someone know what it is.
This message was edited Sep 5, 2008 2:37 PM
Knolan your plant is of the genus Physalis, can't put my finger on which one, but one caution, most of them are poisonous.
I think this is it Virginia Ground Cherry, Physalis virginiana;
http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/74360/
By George, I think you've hit it, Jospehine! Thank you!
Interesting reading the comments and uses for it. I don't think I'll try making any foods with it. LOL. But they might find it interesting at the museum where they grow things that Texas pioneers would have used in their gardens.
It is a pretty little plant but sounds as if I'll have to contain it.
Glad to be of help, but be careful it is of the Solanaceae or Nightshade family, the fruits can be toxic if not ripe, and the foliage is toxic. Of course we do eat fruits from plants of that family, such as tomatoes, peppers and potatoes to name a few, we just need to know which parts to eat.
I don't think we'll be experimenting with eating ANY of the parts. I tend to only consume plants that I have experience with.....like my typical herbs, veggies and fruits.
But thank you for the id! It's aways fun finding a new discovery in the yard.
Physalis angulata looks very similar, but has yellow flowers rather than the white of Physalis virginiana.
http://www.missouriplants.com/Yellowalt/Physalis_angulata_page.html
It's in A & M Digital Databank, but MissouriPlants.com has a much better website for the individual species.
The flowers on here are definitely yellow.
Thanks for this info. Having never seen the plant before now, I think it's pretty fascinating.
