Virginia Ground Cherry

Plant Info

Also known as:
Scientific name:	Physalis virginiana
Family:	Potato (Solanaceae)
Life cycle:	perennial
Origin:	native
Habitat:	sun to part shade; sandy soil, prairies, waste areas, along railroads
Bloom season:	summer
Plant height:	1 to 2 feet
USDA PLANTS database:	Minnesota county distribution map
Spotted in Ramsey County at:	Long Lake Regional Park

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Detailed Information

Flower:

Flowers hang down on stems that arise from a leaf axil. They are about ¾ inch across, bell-shaped with 5 shallow lobes, pale yellow with dark greenish to purple-brown spots on the inside at the base of the throat. There are 5 creamy yellow stamen with yellow or purple tips. The bract holding the base of the flower has 5 pointed lobes and very hairy. The outside of the flowers is also covered in short hairs. One plant has a few to about a dozen flowers on branching stems.

Leaves and stem:

Leaves are to 3 inches long and ¾ inch wide with a pointed tip and tapering at the base. The edges may have a few shallow teeth and/or be somewhat wavy. Leaves are covered in short hairs. The main stem and leaf stems are both covered in stiff hairs.

Fruit:

Fruit is a green berry that ripens to red-orange. The berry is covered in a hairy papery shell shaped like an inverted tear drop, indented at the stem end, that swells up as the fruit matures.

Notes:

The flowers of Virginia Ground Cherry are nearly identical to those of Clammy Ground Cherry. The two plants are more easily distinguished by the leaves. Clammy Ground Cherry has broader leaves with larger teeth, and is more softly hairy overall. The fruit of both species are edible when ripe, but all other parts of these plants are toxic.

More photos

• Virginia Ground Cherry Plant, about 12 inches tall

Photos taken at Long Lake Regional Park, New Brighton, MN June-July 2008

Comments

Have you seen this plant in Ramsey County, or have any other comments about it?

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Please: Do not ask about where to buy seed or other gardening questions, are plants edible, etc. I am not a horticulturist or botanist, just an enthusiastic hobbyist so I probably don't know the answer. Please check the links page for additional resources. -thanks much

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