Physalis greenei
Greene's ground-cherry
(c) Ian McFaul, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Solanaceae · Type: Perennial · Native
Physalis greenei (Greene's ground-cherry) is a native California perennial in the Solanaceae family, recognized by . Very limited elevation and habitat range.
Greene's ground-cherry is a California native perennial herb found in brushy areas at elevations up to 450 meters. Flowering from September to April, this plant produces cream-colored flowers with green to brownish purple splotches around the midvein, approximately 12 to 15 millimeters wide. Growing with spreading stems 10 to 90 centimeters tall, densely covered in glandular, spreading hairs, it has a distinctive appearance. Its leaves have petioles roughly equal in length to the blade, measuring 15 to 65 millimeters long, with edges ranging from nearly entire to shallowly toothed. The plant develops distinctive fruits with a 15 to 25 millimeter calyx that is deeply 10-angled and ridged.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 0 sympatric species - geographically isolated. Very limited elevation and habitat range.
Habitat and range
Habitat: Brushy areas
Elevation: <= 450 m
Outside California: Baja California
Bloom period
Physalis greenei blooms Sep-Apr.
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 greenei native to California?
Yes. Physalis greenei is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Physalis greenei bloom?
Physalis greenei blooms Sep-Apr.
What plant family does Physalis greenei belong to?
Physalis greenei is in the Solanaceae family, genus Physalis.
What habitat does Physalis greenei grow in?
Physalis greenei grows in Brushy areas.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-09-30
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.