How to identify the Chinese lantern plant? Here are a few identification methods
Leaves: alternate, initially ovate in shape, gradually becoming ovate-cordate later, with serrated edges of varying sizes. Flowers: borne singly in the leaf axils, with a bell-shaped calyx and a yellow corolla. Fruit: a berry, spherical in shape and green in color, enclosed in an enlarged green persistent calyx that is ovate or broadly ovate.
1. Leaves
The leaves of the Chinese lantern plant are alternate, initially ovate in shape and gradually becoming ovate-cordate later. They are about 4-8 cm long and about 2-6 cm wide, with serrated edges of varying sizes.
2. Flowers
The flowers of the Chinese lantern plant are usually borne singly in the leaf axils. The calyx is bell-shaped with 5 lobes; the corolla is also bell-shaped, pale yellow in color, about 6-10 cm in diameter, with 5 shallow lobes, and the base of the lobes has purple markings; the anthers are yellow.
3. Fruit
The Chinese lantern plant produces a berry, spherical in shape and green in color, about 1.2 cm in diameter. It is enclosed in an enlarged green persistent calyx, which is ovate or broadly ovate.