Physalis pubescens
Hairy ground-cherry
(c) Evan M. Raskin, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Solanaceae · Type: Herb · Not Native
Physalis pubescens (Hairy ground-cherry) is a non-native California herb in the Solanaceae family, recognized by . Dense glandular pubescence distinctive.
Hairy ground-cherry is a naturalized annual found in disturbed places and cultivated fields at elevations below 550 meters. Flowering from July to September, this plant produces yellow flowers with distinctive dark spots inside the bell-shaped corolla, approximately 10 millimeters wide. Growing with spreading stems up to 80 centimeters tall and covered in glandular hairs, it has a delicate and slightly sticky appearance. Its leaves are widely ovate to heart-shaped, 3 to 9 centimeters long, with margins ranging from entire to coarsely toothed. When fruiting, the plant develops a distinctive papery calyx that expands to 20 to 40 millimeters, becoming sharply angled with prominent ribs.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 0 sympatric species - geographically isolated. Dense glandular pubescence distinctive.
Habitat and range
Habitat: Disturbed places, cultivated fields
Elevation: < 550 m
Outside California: native to central and eastern United States
Bloom period
Physalis pubescens blooms Jul-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
Is Physalis pubescens native to California?
No. Physalis pubescens is not native to California (recorded as not native).
When does Physalis pubescens bloom?
Physalis pubescens blooms Jul-Sep.
What plant family does Physalis pubescens belong to?
Physalis pubescens is in the Solanaceae family, genus Physalis.
What habitat does Physalis pubescens grow in?
Physalis pubescens grows in Disturbed places, cultivated fields.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Physalis sp. — Ground-cherry
- Physalis acutifolia — Sharpleaf ground-cherry
- Physalis angulata — Cutleaf ground-cherry
- Physalis crassifolia — Thickleaf ground-cherry
- Physalis greenei — Greene's ground-cherry
- Physalis hederifolia — Ivy-leaf ground-cherry
- Quincula lobata — Lobed ground-cherry
- Quincula sp.
- Salpichroa origanifolia — Lily-of-the-valley vine
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.