Groundcherry (3)
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. 
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.
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.
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.