Physalis hederifolia
Ivy-leaf ground-cherry
(c) mel letterman, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Solanaceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Physalis hederifolia (Ivy-leaf ground-cherry) is a native California subshrub in the Solanaceae family, recognized by . Elevation and habitat distinctive.
Ivy-leaf ground-cherry is a California native perennial found in gravelly and rocky slopes at elevations of 700 to 2,000 meters. Flowering from May to July, this plant produces yellow to greenish yellow flowers with occasional purple-brown spots at the base, typically 10 to 15 millimeters wide. Growing with fleshy stems 10 to 80 centimeters tall, it spreads via a fleshy rhizome and often appears sticky due to branched and gland-tipped hairs. Its leaves are 1.5 to 4 centimeters long, ranging from lanceolate to ovate or diamond-shaped, with edges that can be entire or lightly toothed. The fruit develops in a calyx that expands to 20 to 30 millimeters, becoming nearly spherical.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 0 sympatric species - geographically isolated. Elevation and habitat distinctive.
Habitat and range
Habitat: Gravelly to rocky slopes
Elevation: 700-2000 m
California counties: Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego
Outside California: to Utah, Arizona, Baja California
Bloom period
Physalis hederifolia blooms May-Jul.
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 hederifolia native to California?
Yes. Physalis hederifolia is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Physalis hederifolia bloom?
Physalis hederifolia blooms May-Jul.
Where in California does Physalis hederifolia grow?
Physalis hederifolia occurs in Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, at elevations of 700-2000 m.
What plant family does Physalis hederifolia belong to?
Physalis hederifolia is in the Solanaceae family, genus Physalis.
What habitat does Physalis hederifolia grow in?
Physalis hederifolia grows in Gravelly to rocky slopes.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · 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.