ground cherry

noun

1. Also called husk tomato. any of several plants belonging to the genus Physalis, of the nightshade family, the several species bearing an edible berry enclosed in an enlarged calyx.
2. any of several European dwarf cherries, especially Prunus fruticosa, of the rose family.
3. the fruit of any of these plants.

ground cherry

noun

1. any of various American solanaceous plants of the genus Physalis, esp P. pubescens, having round fleshy fruit enclosed in a bladder-like husk See also winter cherry gooseberry

Word History and Origins

Origin of ground cherry¹

First recorded in 1595–1605

Example Sentences

Have I tried chocolate berries or seen ground cherries before?

From Seattle Times

The dough in these traditional Lebanese dumplings is already super-intriguing, as it's made with ground cherry pits.

From Salon

Colorado potato beetles, for example, feeds on other nightshade plants: eggplant, pepper, tomato, ground cherry, and tomatillo.

From Salon

In the fall, warm weather crops, like cucumbers, basil, ground cherries and tomatoes — timed to peak when kids return to school.

From Seattle Times

She didn’t invite people to come taste her prizewinning cookies, or sample the sweet ground cherries that she grows.

From Reuters