Physalis cinerascens
Family: Solanaceae
Plant Description: Two varieties: P. cinerascens cinerascens and P. cinerascens spathulifolia. Both are perennial, have dark purple/black spots on the interior of the corolla, and have star-shaped hairs. The former may be upright or reclining to 30 cm or longer forming colonies; has ovate to heart-shaped leaves 1.5-7 cm, alternate, and has a greenish yellow corolla. The fruit, a berry, is encapsulated in a five-sided, papery shell.
Plant Trivia:
Field Identification: Look for downward-facing blooms and the papery shell encasing the fruit.
Occurrence: Physalis c. cinerascens frequently found on loamy soils or caliche, in open areas and disturbed places. P. cinerascens spathulifoliais found most frequently on deep sands in prairies and open areas or on island dunes.
Bloom Period: Physalis c. cinerascens blooms February – December while Physalis cinerascens spathulifolia blooms March – November.
Plant Use:
Refer to Ground Cherry, Tomtate Presadilla for key to species of Physalis.
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