Physalis spathulifolia
| Physalis spathulifolia | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Physalis spathulifolia in bloom; note the entire leaf margins and unreflexed corolla limbs | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Embryophytes |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Solanales |
| Family: | Solanaceae |
| Genus: | Physalis |
| Species: | P. spathulifolia |
| Binomial name | |
| Physalis spathulifolia (Torr.) B.L.Turner | |
| Synonyms[2] | |
| |
Physalis spathulifolia, commonly known as yellow ground-cherry or small-flower ground-cherry, is a species of flowering plant in the nightshade family, Solanaceae. It is a perennial or rhizomatous geophyte native to the Gulf Coastal Plain of southwestern Louisiana, coastal Texas, and northeastern Mexico.[2][3] It grows in dunes, especially backdunes, coastal prairies, and sandy disturbed habitats near the Gulf Coast.[3][1]
Description
Physalis spathulifolia is a perennial, rhizomatous ground-cherry.[2][1] In the Flora of the Southeastern United States key, it is placed among perennial taxa with branched or dendroid-stelliform hairs that arise from deeply buried rhizomes.[4] It is distinguished from related taxa by its entire leaf margins and corolla limbs that are not reflexed when fully open.[4]
The species flowers from May to June, sometimes beginning in April.[3] It may flower nearly year-round in areas without frost.[1]
Taxonomy
Physalis spathulifolia was first described at varietal rank as Physalis lanceolata var. spathulifolia by John Torrey in 1859.[5][2] It was raised to species rank by B.L. Turner in 2011, giving the accepted combination Physalis spathulifolia.[5][2]
The taxon has been treated differently by different authorities. Plants of the World Online and the Flora of the Southeastern United States accept it as the distinct species Physalis spathulifolia.[2][3] The Flora of North America and NatureServe treat it as Physalis cinerascens var. spathulifolia.[1] NatureServe notes that Turner and Martínez considered the taxon to have the characteristics of a biological species because it is restricted to Gulf Coast dune sands and does not appear to intergrade with its presumed closest relative, Physalis cinerascens.[1]
Synonyms include Physalis cinerascens var. spathulifolia, Physalis lanceolata var. spathulifolia, Physalis viscosa var. spathulifolia, and Physalis mollis var. parvifolia.[2]
Distribution and habitat
Physalis spathulifolia is native to the Gulf Coastal Plain from southwestern Louisiana through coastal Texas to northeastern Mexico.[3] NatureServe describes the taxon as occurring in south-central North America from southwestern Louisiana through coastal Texas and Tamaulipas in northeastern Mexico.[1]
Its habitat includes Gulf dunes, especially backdunes, coastal prairies, and disturbed sandy habitats near the Gulf Coast.[3][1] NatureServe gives its elevation as approximately 0 m (0 ft).[1]
Conservation
NatureServe ranks the taxon as G5T4, rounded to T4, under the name Physalis cinerascens var. spathulifolia.[1] The status was last reviewed on 7 October 2025.[1] NatureServe estimates approximately 100 occurrences rangewide and notes that the taxon may be threatened in some places by land development, rights-of-way maintenance, invasive species, storms, sea-level rise, and other threats.[1] However, NatureServe considers the overall impact likely negligible because of the taxon's broad range and large number of occurrences.[1] It has no status under the United States Endangered Species Act.[1]
Toxicity
Unripe fruits and foliage of Physalis species contain solanine and other solanidine alkaloids and are toxic if ingested in large quantities.[1]
References
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 "Physalis cinerascens var. spathulifolia". NatureServe Explorer. NatureServe. Retrieved May 27, 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Physalis spathulifolia (Torr.) B.L.Turner". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved May 27, 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Physalis spathulifolia". Flora of the Southeastern United States. North Carolina Botanical Garden. Retrieved May 27, 2026.
- 1 2 "Key to Physalis". Flora of the Southeastern United States. North Carolina Botanical Garden. Retrieved May 27, 2026.
- 1 2 "Physalis spathulifolia (Torr.) B.L.Turner". International Plant Names Index. Retrieved May 27, 2026.