Family: Solanaceae
lance-leaved ground-cherry, obedient plant, Virginia ground-cherry
Arthur Meeks
Stephen L. Solheim
Etymology: Physalis: from the Greek physalis, "a bladder," because of the inflated calyx
Plants: erect, perennial, 12"-24" tall forb; stems usually forked, the upper parts with stiff hairs; colony-forming rhizomes
Leaves: long stalked, ovate to narrowly lance-like, tapering to the base, entire or with wavy teeth, usually coarsely hairy on both sides
Flowers: yellow with dark spots in the center, 5-parted, 1/2"-3/4" wide, shallow funnel-shaped; solitary from the leaf axils; blooms July-Aug.
Fruits: orange berry, 5-angled covering (calyx) much larger than the berry, the tip mostly closed, finely hairy all over, indented at the stem end
Habitat: dry; prairies, upland woods, fields
Conservation Status: Native
Plants: erect, perennial, 12"-24" tall forb; stems usually forked, the upper parts with stiff hairs; colony-forming rhizomes
Leaves: long stalked, ovate to narrowly lance-like, tapering to the base, entire or with wavy teeth, usually coarsely hairy on both sides
Flowers: yellow with dark spots in the center, 5-parted, 1/2"-3/4" wide, shallow funnel-shaped; solitary from the leaf axils; blooms July-Aug.
Fruits: orange berry, 5-angled covering (calyx) much larger than the berry, the tip mostly closed, finely hairy all over, indented at the stem end
Habitat: dry; prairies, upland woods, fields
Conservation Status: Native
Floristic Rating: Coefficient of Conservatism = 4 Atlas of the Wisconsin Prairie and Savanna Flora: by T.S. Cochrane & H.H. Iltis: habitat, distribution infomation / flowering and fruiting times USDA Plants Database: Federal Distribution and detailed information including photos Southwest School of Botanical Medicine: Britton & Brown Illustrated Flora - 2nd Edition (1913) "An Illustrated Flora of the Northern United States and Canada"
Stephen L. Solheim
Christopher Noll
from USDA Plants website
Derek Anderson
Derek Anderson
Merel R. Black
Merel R. Black
