We discovered this green orb partially wrapped in what looks like a dried leaf in recently disturbed soil near a field in Thetford, Vermont. What is this?
Answer
This is a ground cherry, displaying the green fruit and dried calyx (the inflated bladder that originally surrounded the fruit). Ground cherry plants, both native and non-native species (with many look-alikes), often grow in untended gardens, along roadsides, in meadows, and in other areas with frequently disturbed soil. While many species of wildlife eat ground cherry (a member of the nightshade family), and the ripe fruit is safe for human consumption, all other parts of the plant are toxic to humans.
This week’s contest winner was Hillary S. Schultz