stxflora

Physalis pubescens

Family: Solanaceae

Plant Description: Annual to 50 cm or higher with ovate leaves 2-6 cm long, alternate. Flowers solitary, yellow, with 5 greenish-brown spots at the base of the petals. Stems usually lying on the ground, occasionally partially erect. Ours typically has 5-8 teeth on each side of leaf.

Field Identification: Low-growing. Anthers are bluish.

Plant Trivia: The genus name comes from the Greek physa, for “bladder,’ referring to the inflated calyx surrounding the fruit.

Occurrence: Fairly common in stream bottoms, coastal oak woods, or other low or damp grounds.

Bloom Period: April – Dec

Plant Use:

Key to the Genus Physalis:

1. Stems and leaves glabrous or nearly so………………………………………………2

              Stems densely pubescent……………………………………………………………………….3

          2. Corolla with dark spots near center………………………………….P. virginiana

               Corolla without spots…………………………………………………………….P. angulata

           3. Hairs simple, unbranched…………………………………………………….P. pubescens

               Hairs mostly branched……………………………………………………………………………..4

           4. Hairs uniform……………………………………………………………………….P. cinerascens

               Hairs not uniform, those of lower stems and calyxes

much longer than those of leaves…………………………………………….P. mollis