Physalis angulata
Cutleaf ground-cherry
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Family: Solanaceae · Type: Herb
Physalis angulata (Cutleaf ground-cherry) is a California herb in the Solanaceae family, recognized by . Plain yellow flowers and minimal pubescence distinctive.
Cutleaf ground-cherry is a naturalized annual found in wet places, fields, and disturbed areas at elevations below 800 meters. Flowering from June to September, this plant produces pale yellow flowers 7 to 10 millimeters wide with widely bell-shaped corollas. Growing to 80 centimeters tall with sparse, minute appressed hairs, it has an upright annual habit. Its leaves are elliptic-lanceolate to narrowly elliptic-ovate, 3 to 13 centimeters long, with entire or slightly wavy margins and acuminate tips. In fruit, the plant develops a distinctive inflated calyx 20 to 40 millimeters long with prominent veining.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 0 sympatric species - geographically isolated. Plain yellow flowers and minimal pubescence distinctive.
Habitat and range
Habitat: Wet places, fields, disturbed places
Elevation: < 800 m
Outside California: to Texas, central Mexico, native to South America
Bloom period
Physalis angulata blooms Jun-Sep.
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
When does Physalis angulata bloom?
Physalis angulata blooms Jun-Sep.
What plant family does Physalis angulata belong to?
Physalis angulata is in the Solanaceae family, genus Physalis.
What habitat does Physalis angulata grow in?
Physalis angulata grows in Wet places, fields, disturbed places.
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.