The Physalis or the tomatillo or ground cherry genus is comprised of perennial herbs in the Solanaceae (nightshade) family native to the U.S.A. and South America. They can be found growing as weeds in disturbed areas, forest or thin woodlands, and sandy, open areas.

These easy to grow indeterminate plants grow to 3 to 4 feet in height and width and they produce fruits until the first frost. The stems easily root when they come into contact with the ground so its sprawling habit needs support like a tomato cage or trellis in the landscape or vegetable garden.

The main identifying characteristic of this plant is the glandularly pubescence of the stem and leaves and the thick rhizomes that run horizontally from the stem. This plant is easily propagated by seed or can be divided.

They are tropical frost-tender flowering shrubs that can be grown outside year-round in zones 9 and 10. Genus name comes from the Arabic name for a mallow-like plant. These shrubs will grow 8-10 feet tall in tropical areas but 2-4 feet tall in colder sites. They grow best in rich, constantly moist, well-drained soil in full sun to partial shade.

This plant has low severity poison characteristics. See below Description. The Longum group includes chili peppers and cayenne peppers. They are edible but quite hot. It is an annual herb or short-lived perennial that can be used as a houseplant or interiorscape.

This plant has high severity poison characteristics. See below Description. Originally from Mexico, Prickly Poppy has naturalized in many parts of the world. In regions that experience a pronounced dry season, it can be found growing in its natural habitat of dry soils along roadsides, waste places and fields.

The plants can grow 3 to 10 feet tall and 1 to 4 feet wide. The plant usually has glandular hairs that are very "sticky." While the portion eaten is botanically a fruit, tomatoes are considered a vegetable due to their savory flavor. All green parts of the tomato plant are poisonous.

Halicacabum is a Latin word for a plant with inflated fruits. It serves as a host plant for the caterpillars of several varieties of tropical American butterflies. The Hairstreak butterfly ( Theclinae ) lay eggs on the young fruits.

Ramps are one of the earliest edible plants to emerge from the ground in the spring and have a distinct strong garlic/onion fragrance distinguishing it from the poisonous look-a-likes Lily of the valley or false hellebores.

These plants will grow 2-3 feet tall and do best in full sun and any amended well-drained moist garden soil. They can be directly sown in the garden or purchased as seedlings and planted in either spring or fall.