| 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, esp. Prunus fruticosa, of the rose family. |
| 3. | the fruit of any of these plants. |
| ground cherry n. Any of various chiefly New World plants of the genus Physalis, having small, globose, fleshy fruit enclosed in a papery, bladderlike, persistent calyx. Also called husk tomato. |