Physalis sp.
Ground-cherry, Ground-Cherry
Family: Solanaceae · Type: Perennial · Variable; species dependent
Physalis sp. (Ground-cherry) is a non-native California perennial in the Solanaceae family.
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 sp. native to California?
No. Physalis sp. is not native to California (recorded as variable; species dependent).
What plant family does Physalis sp. belong to?
Physalis sp. is in the Solanaceae family, genus Physalis.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- 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
- Physalis longifolia var. longifolia — Longleaf ground-cherry
- Quincula lobata — Lobed ground-cherry
- Quincula sp.
- Salpichroa origanifolia — Lily-of-the-valley vine
- Salpichroa sp.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-04-14
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.