Asked on Oct 01, 2016

Can anyone identify this plant?

Glenda
by Glenda
It sprang up in a mulched bed. Weed or desirable?
  69 answers
  • Sta6940586 Sta6940586 on Oct 02, 2016
    Could it be a Chinese lantern. If they are orange in the fall, so it is good enough, but otherwise I do not know.
  • Pauline Holmes Pauline Holmes on Oct 02, 2016
    Looks like physallis,or cape gooseberry,which does sound like the Chinese lantern Stan suggests.If it has a berry inside of the pod,it's edible. This one looks like a prostrate version tho' as the ones I've seen have a more upright nature
  • Dee Dee on Oct 02, 2016
    Chinese Lantern. The flower will turn orange.
  • Andrea Foster Ozment Andrea Foster Ozment on Oct 02, 2016
    Yes, Chinese lantern -- beautiful accent plant, but be sure to contain it or it will take over...
    • Dbi8278524 Dbi8278524 on Oct 02, 2016
      So true, it will take over and be difficult to get rid of if you can't contain it somehow.
  • Vai Lynch Vai Lynch on Oct 02, 2016
    Yep very edible when golden . It's ready when the skin becomes papery . Known as Chinese lantern or Cape Gooseberry .
  • Carmen Carmen on Oct 02, 2016
    Yes it is a Chinese Laetrn, its flowers will turn ornage colour beatutifully
  • Jeanne Godeau Jeanne Godeau on Oct 02, 2016
    Not to sure if it is a Chinese Lantern plant the leaves look more like parsley leaves than Chinese Lantern leaves. I would not eat the berries till you properly get it identified. Just to be on the safe side.
    • Bklyn Cowgirl Bklyn Cowgirl on Oct 02, 2016
      I agree with Jeanne. I just looked up Chinese lantern and the leaves and lanterns aren't the same. Please do not think of eating before positively identifying. The plant kingdom is full of copy cats that are from different genus and don't have the same properties.
  • J.b. kelly J.b. kelly on Oct 02, 2016
    We know it as a jack o lantern ,because the flowers turn orange ,it blooms in the fall
  • Kate Kate on Oct 02, 2016
    chinese lantern. Perfect for autumn arrangements when "lanterns" turn orange - enjoy
  • Judy Judy on Oct 02, 2016
    weed
  • A A on Oct 02, 2016
    I concur on the Chinese Lantern plant (it's in the Nightshade family) but beware, it's quite invasive in some zones. Personally, I've never been successful growing it in Zone 9B so I'm gonna assume it's not invasive here.
  • Patricia Hocker Patricia Hocker on Oct 02, 2016
    WHEN THE PALE GREEN "LANTERNS" TURN WHITE AND CREPEY, THE BERRIES INSIDE ARE PALEI N COLOR AND THE MOST DELICIOUS FRUIT TO EAT! GET THEM BEFORE THE SQUIRREL AND RABBITS DO! HAD THEM AS AN EMBELLISHMENT IN CANADA AND I REALIZED I HAVE THEM GROWING IN MY YARD, WILD.
  • Mishie56 Mishie56 on Oct 02, 2016
    Definitely a Chinese Lantern. These will eventually turn a beautiful orange.
  • Pepitorock Pepitorock on Oct 02, 2016
    How do I clean a fish tank attach to the wall
  • Janice Foutch Janice Foutch on Oct 02, 2016
    They are ground cherries. Make great pies, jams, and good to eat when ripe. They ripen when the lantern looking outer shell turns brown. If you do not pick them they will fall off and can easily be picked up. Enjoy!
  • DORLIS DORLIS on Oct 02, 2016
    Never knew they were edible, learn something new every day.
  • DORLIS DORLIS on Oct 02, 2016
    I wonder if I put them in a large flower pot with a trellis if I could control them better. Also I could put a chicken wire cage around them and keep squirrels, coons, etc away.
  • Liane Magill Langlois Liane Magill Langlois on Oct 02, 2016
    I just looked it up on Google images, and saw pictures of this plant in baskets! Hope this inspires you with your treasure plant you found 😊
  • Lori Kelly Lori Kelly on Oct 02, 2016
    They are ground cherries! Edible and yummy. We had them in our garden growing up. They will turn brownish and look like parchment paper when ripe.
  • Janice Joy Miller Janice Joy Miller on Oct 02, 2016
    The deer love them! So, that chicken wire is a good idea if you have a lot of deer in your area.
  • Johnchip Johnchip on Oct 02, 2016
    You have good birds dropping you garden seed.
  • Rhapsodyblue Rhapsodyblue on Oct 02, 2016
    Chinese lantern? They are invasive but lovely!
    • Rhapsodyblue Rhapsodyblue on Oct 02, 2016
      also, after they turn orange, cut them & dry them-they're beautiful in a dry arrangement of flowers also dried out.
  • Judy Ipema Judy Ipema on Oct 02, 2016
    Chinese lanterns. You are very lucky!
  • Conchita Bowman Conchita Bowman on Oct 02, 2016
    I think that they are Chinese lantern because the foliage isn't right for ground cherries.
  • Lonnie Lonnie on Oct 02, 2016
    "Love in a Puff" Scientific name is Cardiospermum halicacabum. Mouthful isn't it? I believe the Chinese Lantern plants are bright orangish-red. Also different are the leaves. Hope this helps.
  • Kathi Davis Kathi Davis on Oct 02, 2016
    Yup chinese lanterns.Probably the seeds i planted,and the birds took them and delivered them to you.LOL
  • Dixie Dixie on Oct 02, 2016
    The Chinese Lanterns I'm familiar with are actually a very large tree. they have wonderful bunches of the little lanterns, mostly a brownish peach color.
  • Teri Bruzzo Teri Bruzzo on Oct 02, 2016
    Chinese lantern s fun n pretty
  • Sandra Sandra on Oct 02, 2016
    We have these coming up in our garden area as well as our chicken yard,..
  • Cindy Ptak Cindy Ptak on Oct 02, 2016
    Do you like it? Then keep it. If not, don't. Every plant can be a "weed" if it's growing in the wrong place!
  • Cer10780767 Cer10780767 on Oct 02, 2016
    Weed. And it will spread quickly!
  • Jeanne Jeanne on Oct 02, 2016
    It will take over everywhere. It is a weed. When the seed pods open the seeds will fall where they open and spread by wind and bird. Get it up as soon as possible
  • Nancy Nancy on Oct 02, 2016
    Chinese lantern and the pods turn into a pretty fall oranfe
  • Meatball1 Meatball1 on Oct 02, 2016
    Chinese lantern when you dry them out they turn Orange color used for fall decorations
  • Jane Jane on Oct 02, 2016
    This pretty much says it all http://forums2.gardenweb.com/discussions/1666...
  • Lee Govan Lee Govan on Oct 02, 2016
    I have so many of these thanks to the birds. It is a Cape gooseberry, the outer pod will turn into a skeleton and the berry will turn yellow when it is ripe. Very good to eat in the fall. It is a soft celled shrub but will seed and take over so make sure that you harvest all the fruit
  • Looks like the Chinese lantern plant I have in my yard and I wish I could get rid of them. They grow by runners, so maybe that's why I can't rid my yard. My neighbor let's them grow so that's another reason I have them. I can't believe there are places that sell this invasive plant.
  • Mary Tac Mary Tac on Oct 02, 2016
    I have it in my flower beds and have been trying to get rid of it for 30 years. Just when you think you've won the battle, it pops up again in a different spot.
  • Gail Hoak Gail Hoak on Oct 02, 2016
    That plant is Chinese Lantern, beware that if you don't keep up with these plants they will pop up everywhere. I have the same problem with morning glory and these are wose.
  • Tina Pancoast Hagenbuch Tina Pancoast Hagenbuch on Oct 03, 2016
    I always thought the Chinese Lantern ws pretty. I loved it for fall decorating. I am so happy now I never put it in my flower bed. Incredibly invasive.
  • Jeanne Godeau Jeanne Godeau on Oct 03, 2016
    I too have had a Chinese Lantern plant in New Zealand and the leaves on this one are not like mine were that is why I think you should take a piece to a nursery and get it identified properly
  • Carmen Carmen on Oct 03, 2016
    If you go to this web side; http://www.gardenguides.com/81175-remove-chin... probably will help you terminate this infestation. Good luck!!!
  • Maria Rivera Maria Rivera on Oct 03, 2016
    Very invasive weed I have been trying to get rid of it in my yard but it keeps coming back. It's even growing in my lawn. Need advice!!!
  • Tricia Jackson Jones Tricia Jackson Jones on Oct 03, 2016
    Didn't know they were so invasive. I had some of the dried pods at one point and loved them for fall decorations. I guess this is why i have not seen them since.
  • Ellen Agerbak Ellen Agerbak on Oct 03, 2016
    Weed, in my opinion it grows like one all around our farm. We are surrounded by DNR land public hunting ponds ect. And it has been taking over and creeping into our garden and land .
  • Emily Emily on Oct 03, 2016
    It looks like a tomatillo plant.
  • Ann Ann on Oct 03, 2016
    Looks like Japanese lantern plant. The pods turn orange in the fall and are very pretty in a vase. They will kind of dry, no water in vase.
  • Viv5196087 Viv5196087 on Oct 04, 2016
    it is called physallis, which in greek, (φυσαλλίς), means bubble. the green bubbles will turn orange and it;s a great decorative plant. Vivian.
  • Kathryn De Fazio Farina Kathryn De Fazio Farina on Oct 04, 2016
    Ground cherry plant
  • Elizabeth Downing Frank Elizabeth Downing Frank on Oct 04, 2016
    I used to see these growing on our farm when I was growing up. As an adult, I found some and actually took the seeds and grew them at home in pots - on purpose! Don't know what they are but I think they're very cool. Mine don't turn orange in the fall. Maybe because we have summer like temperatures into November. No fall. Just long scalding summers them BAM - icy winters.
  • Vicki witcher Vicki witcher on Oct 04, 2016
    Chinese lantern (nightshade)
  • Vicki witcher Vicki witcher on Oct 04, 2016
    Poisonous
  • Lisa Johnson Jackson Lisa Johnson Jackson on Oct 04, 2016
    Chinese lanterns-can be very invasive under the right conditions. Better to pot them up where they can be better controlled.
  • CAROL CAROL on Oct 04, 2016
    It's a Chinese Lantern plant..be careful, it's poison!
  • Ruby Anunciado Ruby Anunciado on Oct 05, 2016
    wow, i saw a lot of these kind in our province
  • Mary Jagodowski Mary Jagodowski on Oct 06, 2016
    Scary, knew it was a Chinese lantern, but it looks like parsley also. May have to check my herb garden.
  • Darlene Velez Darlene Velez on Oct 06, 2016
    Its called chinese lantern see them alot in florida region.
  • Lonnie Lonnie on Oct 07, 2016
    This isn't a Chinese Lantern. It is called "Love in a Puff". I hope adding these pictures will help to show distinction. The leaves on these two plants are different. Reading up on them was interesting and informative. I want one of each. LOL
  • Karol Karol on Oct 12, 2016
    Believe thats a tomatillo plant. The latin american version of a tomato.
  • Lumen Castaneda Lumen Castaneda on Oct 12, 2016
    Does it become red? If it does, it is what we call in the Philippines as Chinese Lantern.
  • Darlene Withrow Darlene Withrow on Oct 13, 2016
    Darlene is right in that it is not a Chinese Lantern plant as the leaves are all wrong. I just picked mine so I know for sure. I never heard of a love in a puff plant but it looks possibly like a tomatillo plant.
  • Antonia Antonia on Oct 13, 2016
    Yes Karol your right.
  • Dee Dee on Oct 14, 2016
    It's Love in a Puff vine, also called Heartseed or Balloon Vine (Cardiospermum halicacabum). It is noxious and invasive in your state, so if you keep it, you may want to control it. It has a small white flower, and black and white seeds. Usually deadheading before it forms seeds will control it.
  • Lonnie Lonnie on Oct 14, 2016
    If you look back on the comments (back a few groups, I believe) I put two photos up to show the difference between Chinese Lantern and Love in a Puff.
  • Lonnie Lonnie on Oct 14, 2016
    Here are the photos again. The leaves are quite different, the shape (although similar) is different, the vines are different.
  • Yvonne Yvonne on Jan 07, 2021

    I have received the seed vor the plant in Japan and cherish It every year. The 3 black seeds have a White heartshape face. Very pritty. The Japanese believe it Looks Like a daruma and brings good luck. Sorry I forgot the Name.

    Best Yvonne froh Germany

  • Amy Jo Amy Jo on Apr 15, 2021

    Weed

  • Stacey Stacey on Sep 10, 2022

    It's not chinese lantern, not physalis, not cape gooseberry. It's baloon flower, or love in a puff. There are no berries inside, just hard seeds. The root is sometimes used as an herb or vegetable.