Physalis acutifolia
Sharpleaf ground-cherry
(c) Adrian Bojorquez, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · licence
Family: Solanaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Physalis acutifolia (Sharpleaf ground-cherry) is a native California herb in the Solanaceae family, recognized by (P. crassifolia, P. philadelphica). Key features: annual, sharp leaf teeth, geographic restriction.
Sharpleaf ground-cherry is a California native annual found in southern San Joaquin Valley, southern California coastal areas, and desert regions in disturbed places and roadsides at elevations below 400 meters. Flowering from July to October, this plant produces white flowers with a yellow center, rotate-shaped and 15 to 23 millimeters wide. Growing 20 to 100 centimeters tall with branched stems that are sparsely to densely covered in short, appressed hairs, it has an open, spreading form. Its leaves are lanceolate to nearly ovate, 4 to 12 centimeters long with slightly wavy margins that have up to 7 millimeter teeth, often with a pointed tip. In fruit, the plant develops a spheric, 10-angled calyx that enlarges to 20 to 25 millimeters, enclosing its distinctive ground-cherry.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 2 sympatric species (P. crassifolia, P. philadelphica). Key features: annual, sharp leaf teeth, geographic restriction.
Habitat and range
Habitat: Disturbed places, roadsides
Elevation: < 400 m
California counties: Los Angeles, Imperial, Riverside, San Diego, San Bernardino, Tulare, Orange, Kern, Butte, Glenn, Stanislaus, Yolo, Colusa, Santa Barbara
Outside California: to southeastern United States, northern Mexico
Bloom period
Physalis acutifolia blooms Jul-Oct.
How to tell it apart
vs Solanum: Physalis fruit is enclosed in a papery lantern; Solanum berries are exposed.; vs Datura: Physalis has small flowers and papery lantern fruits; Datura has huge trumpet flowers and spiny capsules.; vs Chylismia: Physalis has 5-petaled flowers and lantern fruits; Chylismia has 4 petals and elongated capsules.; vs Mirabilis: Physalis has papery lantern fruits; Mirabilis has hard, ribbed fruits without any husk.; vs Capsicum: Physalis lantern completely encloses fruit; Capsicum peppers are fully exposed when ripe.
Frequently asked questions
Is Physalis acutifolia native to California?
Yes. Physalis acutifolia is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Physalis acutifolia bloom?
Physalis acutifolia blooms Jul-Oct.
Where in California does Physalis acutifolia grow?
Physalis acutifolia occurs in Los Angeles, Imperial, Riverside, San Diego, San Bernardino, Tulare, Orange, Kern and other counties, at elevations of < 400 m.
What plant family does Physalis acutifolia belong to?
Physalis acutifolia is in the Solanaceae family, genus Physalis.
What habitat does Physalis acutifolia grow in?
Physalis acutifolia grows in Disturbed places, roadsides.
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.