Virginia Groundcherry
Physalis virginiana P. Mill.
Solanaceae (Nightshade Family)
▲ ▼ mature plants
▲ ▼ mature plants
▲ ▼ mature plants
▲ ▼ flowers
▲ ▼ fruit
Groundcherry:
· three most common species are creeping perennial weeds in pastures, gardens, cultivated fields, waste areas; one species is summer annual
· much branched stems, yellow-white flowers and small berry fruit enclosed in papery "chinese lantern" structure; plants not spiny
o Virginia groundcherry
§ Creeping perennial with creeping roots
§ is only slightly hairy
§ stems often more green, less purple than smooth groundcherry
§ yellow flowers have lighter brown to pale purplish gray centers, or yellow centers
§ leaves elongated, and less lobed than smooth groundcherry
§ fruit often more elongated than smooth groundcherry, but may be globe-shaped