If you are going to eat the fruit, I would recommend sampling one and waiting before trying more. That's what I had in mind. Also, I don't know if there are any poisonous look-alikes that smell/taste as good as ground cherries, from what I've learned. Allergic reactions are always a possibility when trying a new food, especially from wild plants. I wouldn't expect to have any allergic reactions, as I've never had any food allergies before. It's a possibility but I don't think it's much to worry about. It might be P. longifolia var. sublabrata as you mentioned, and it also might be P. angulata (cutleaf groundcherry). So I've narrowed it down to 3 possible species, all of which are edible so I shouldn't worry about that. Thanks for the help.

Definitely a Mud Dauber of some kind. I'm not familiar with western species. The "waist" is always a giveaway. Wouldn't have bothered you or your tiny ones unless you were directly bothering it, like physically touching it.

Rina, the last pic you show of the variegated guy does tend to look more like an Aloe (teeth on edges, but Haws have them as well). The other pic, showing thin leaves~seemed like you could see through them, making me think Haworthia. Not so sure it would be A. nobilis, but that is a possibility. Yes, also possible it is etiolated. Wait till it grows a bit & we can have another crack at it! =) I also agreed with Geoff, that #1 Aloe could be maculata.

No, it's not a 'Gelderland''because that's a Dutch selection which came into the trade in the late eighties. The foliage of the 'Gelderland' is more curly then this one at Mike's pic. Unfortunately I can't help you this time Mike. Maybe it's a local one found by a Mr. Thonpson which didn't make it furthur in the trade...