Chinese lantern seeds (@ Skip Moody-Rainbow/Corbis)

Chinese lantern seeds (@ Skip Moody-Rainbow/Corbis)

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• As the casing of physalis alkekengi dries out, ‘lights\ in the pods appear, making them look like lanterns.""Perhaps you\re more familiar with the ones that float in the sky?
• Shall we take a look at the true inner selves of these botanical beauties?""That way we can really get down to the core of this matter…
• This plant and its seeds have long been used by herbalists to treat a range of complaints, including coughs, fevers and sore throats.""It has a green relative which delivers a real kick in the kitchen
• The Japanese love these plants so much they\ve been throwing a festival to celebrate them for the past 500 years.""It\s held in Tokyo\s oldest temple