Groundcherry (3)

Physalis hederifolia var. fendleri

Ivyleaf Groundcherry
Physalis hederifolia var. fendleri

Family: Nightshade (Solanaceae)
AKA: Fendler's Groundcherry
Photo taken on: June 12, 2009
Location: White Rock, NM
Life Zones: Plains to montane
Habitat: Disturbed dry areas

Grows to a 2ft high bush with erect or sprawling green, angled stems. The nodding flowers are ½ inch across with five petals and have darker, brownish patches in the center. The leaves have wavy edges and are heart-shaped. arrow

Physalis hederifolia var. fendleri

Physalis neomexicana

The stamens are yellow compared to the New Mexico Groundcherry below, which are blue.

The fruit of all the Groundcherrys is a green berry inside a large, inflated, paper lantern-like green calyx.

Physalis neomexicana

New Mexico Groundcherry
Physalis foetens var. neomexicana

Family: Nightshade (Solanaceae)
AKA:
Photo taken on: September 12, 2011
Location: White Rock, NM
Life Zones: Plains to foothills
Habitat: Disturbed areas, roadsides

Grows to 2 ft in a more open pattern than Ivyleaf Groundcherry. All parts of the plant are covered in hairs. The flower is less than 1 inch across and has a purplish spot in the center.

Physalis longifolia

Longleaf Groundcherry
Physalis longifolia

Family: Nightshade (Solanaceae)
AKA: Wild Tomatillo, Common Groundcherry
Photo taken on: August 8, 2016
Location: Abiquiu, NM
Life Zones: Plains to foothills
Habitat: Disturbed areas, roadsides, thickets

Grows to 3ft high with angled, purple-green stems. Leaves are lance-shaped with smooth edges and no hairs. Bell-shaped flowers grow drooping from the leaf axils. They are greenish yellow with a brownish-purple center and yellow stamens. The fruit of the Groundcherry is edible if cooked.

Yellow Single Flowers