Leucophysalis grandiflora (Hook.) Rydb.
Family: Solanaceae
large-flowered ground-cherry, white-flowered ground-cherry
Leucophysalis grandiflora image
Stephen L. Solheim  
Leucophysalis grandiflora image
Mary E. Bartkowiak  
Leucophysalis grandiflora image
University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, Robert W. Freckmann Herbarium (UWSP)  
Etymology: Leucophysalis: from Greek leukos, "white" and physalis, "a bladder"
Plants: erect, perennial, 1'-3' tall forb
Leaves: simple, oval with a pointed end
Flowers: cream to white with pale yellow center, 5-parted, 1"-1 1/2" wide, saucer-shaped, stalked; inflorescence usually 2-4 flowers from the upper leaf axils; blooms June-Aug.
Fruits: berry almost filling the open-tipped covering
Habitat: dry; in rocky, sandy soil
Conservation Status: Special Concern

Clearings, burned areas, and trails in pine barrens and northern forests (mesic to dry), also gravelly riverbanks, sandy roadsides, bare soil along streams, and disturbed sedge meadows; to be expected in vacant lots and refuse dumps; persisting no more than 2 or 3 years at a site unless the disturbance is maintained (fide Voss & Reznicek, 2012, p. 896). In Wisconsin not much collected after 1970 and rare in much of its range, which extends as a narrow band from southern Quebec and northern New England across the northern Great Lakes region into Saskatchewan.

Somewhat resembling the true ground-cherries (Physalis spp.), but easily recognized by the white (or violet-tinged) flowers, which are 3–5 (–8) cm wide, and the green fruiting calyx, which is enlarged but not bladdery and appressed to most of the berry.

Leucophysalis grandiflora image
Mary E. Bartkowiak  
Leucophysalis grandiflora image
Matt Bushman  
Leucophysalis grandiflora image
Stephen L. Solheim  
Leucophysalis grandiflora image
Matt Bushman  
Leucophysalis grandiflora image
Leucophysalis grandiflora image
Leucophysalis grandiflora image
Leucophysalis grandiflora image
Leucophysalis grandiflora image
Leucophysalis grandiflora image
Leucophysalis grandiflora image
Leucophysalis grandiflora image
Leucophysalis grandiflora image
Leucophysalis grandiflora image
Leucophysalis grandiflora image
Leucophysalis grandiflora image
Leucophysalis grandiflora image
Leucophysalis grandiflora image
Leucophysalis grandiflora image
Leucophysalis grandiflora image
Leucophysalis grandiflora image