Family: Solanaceae
Chinese lantern-plant, strawberry ground-cherry
Kurt Stüber
Dorothy J. Lott
Etymology: Physalis: from the Greek physalis, "a bladder," because of the inflated calyx
Plants: mostly erect perennial, 16"-24" tall forb, unbranched; colony-forming rhizomes
Leaves: stalked, ovate
Flowers: white to cream with a darker center, 5-parted, 1/2" wide, shallow funnel-shaped, stalked, nodding; solitary from the leaf axils; blooms June-Aug.
Fruits: berry with a bright orange covering much larger than the berry and closed at the end
Habitat: disturbed areas
Hazardous: Careful, this plant is hazardous!
Conservation Status: Introduced - rarely escaped
Plants: mostly erect perennial, 16"-24" tall forb, unbranched; colony-forming rhizomes
Leaves: stalked, ovate
Flowers: white to cream with a darker center, 5-parted, 1/2" wide, shallow funnel-shaped, stalked, nodding; solitary from the leaf axils; blooms June-Aug.
Fruits: berry with a bright orange covering much larger than the berry and closed at the end
Habitat: disturbed areas
Hazardous: Careful, this plant is hazardous!
Conservation Status: Introduced - rarely escaped
USDA Plants Database: Federal Distribution and detailed information including photos USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS): Images of seeds, fruits, embryos, etc. USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS): Images of seeds, fruits, embryos, etc.
Dorothy J. Lott
Botanical Illustration
Botanical Illustration
Dorothy J. Lott
Robert W. Freckmann
Merel R. Black
