Leucophysalis nana
Dwarf leucophysalis
(c) Tom Hilton, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Solanaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Leucophysalis nana (Dwarf leucophysalis) is a native California herb in the Solanaceae family, recognized by Rocky Mountain genus reaching California in montane habitats, differs from Physalis by habitat and flower color.
Dwarf leucophysalis is a California native perennial found in the northern Sierra Nevada, Sierra Nevada, and Great Basin in sandy soils and conifer forests at elevations of 1,500 to 2,800 meters. Flowering from May to August, this plant produces pale flowers with a corolla approximately 2 centimeters in diameter, sometimes with purple tints. Growing with 1 to several tufted or spreading stems 5 to 25 centimeters tall that are sparsely to densely puberulent, it has a decumbent growth habit. Its leaves are 15 to 70 millimeters long, lanceolate to ovate or diamond-shaped, with bases ranging from acute to broadly obtuse and tips that are acute. The fruit is 1 to 1.2 centimeters in diameter, with a calyx that enlarges around the developing fruit.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Rocky Mountain genus reaching California in montane habitats, differs from Physalis by habitat and flower color
Habitat and range
Habitat: Sandy soils, slopes, conifer forest
Elevation: 1500-2800 m
California counties: Mono, Plumas, Alpine, Nevada, Modoc, El Dorado, Placer, Shasta, Lassen, Siskiyou, Butte, Tehama, Trinity, Kings, Sierra, Tuolumne
Outside California: Oregon, Nevada
Bloom period
Leucophysalis nana blooms May-Aug.
Frequently asked questions
Is Leucophysalis nana native to California?
Yes. Leucophysalis nana is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Leucophysalis nana bloom?
Leucophysalis nana blooms May-Aug.
Where in California does Leucophysalis nana grow?
Leucophysalis nana occurs in Mono, Plumas, Alpine, Nevada, Modoc, El Dorado, Placer, Shasta and other counties, at elevations of 1500-2800 m.
What plant family does Leucophysalis nana belong to?
Leucophysalis nana is in the Solanaceae family, genus Leucophysalis.
What habitat does Leucophysalis nana grow in?
Leucophysalis nana grows in Sandy soils, slopes, conifer forest.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.