Groundcherry gets genetic upgrades: Turning a garden curiosity into an agricultural powerhouse

Science Daily reported, "Imagine a small fruit that tastes like a cross between a tomato and a pineapple, wrapped in its own natural paper lantern. That's the groundcherry (Physalis grisea) -- a little-known relative of tomatoes that's been quietly growing in gardens and small farms across North America for centuries. Now, this humble fruit is getting a 21st-century upgrade thanks to some cutting-edge genetic research.

"For over six years, a team of scientists led by Dr. Joyce Van Eck at the Boyce Thompson Institute has been running the "Physalis Improvement Project." The goal is to transform groundcherry from a garden novelty to a mainstream crop that could one day be a common sight alongside blueberries and blackberries in your local grocery store."

Learn more about transforming groundcherry.