Chinese Lantern

Herbaceous perennial of the nightshade family that grows in an upright clump to 24” tall and as wide. The showy part of this plant is the papery, up to 2” long orange-red calyx, resembling the shape of a Chinese lantern. The lantern forms around each ripening fruit in late summer. The bright calyxes provide excellent and somewhat unique fall color. The calyx, unripe fruit, and all other parts of the plant are toxic. Ripe fruits can be eaten safely.