Smooth groundcherry – Physalis longifolia var. subglabrata
Print
EmailPhysalis longifolia Nutt. var. subglabrata (Mackenzie & Bush) Cronq.
Solanaceae (Nightshade family)
MI Status
Native
Life cycle
Erect, branching, rhizomatous perennial.
Leaves
Alternate, egg-, lance- to diamond-shaped with entire to toothed margins and long petioles. Leaves are smooth to slightly hairy.
Stems
Erect, branching, angled, up to 3-foot-tall herbaceous stems that become smooth and semi-woody with age.
Flowers and fruit
Flowers have five yellow to greenish yellow petals with purple centers, fused into a bell shape and found drooping and solitary in branch and leaf axils. Fruit are orange, red or purple, globe-shaped berries surrounded by a green, lantern shaped, papery bladder. Each fruit contains many flat, circular to kidney-shaped seeds.
Reproduction
Seeds and rhizomes.
Similar weeds
Apple of Peru
[Nicandra physalodes (L.) Gaertn.]
Differs by having an aggressive, annual habit, being up to 4 feet tall and having blue, upward facing, bell-shaped flowers.
Other Documents in this Series
You Might Also Be Interested In
-
Celebrating 100 years of Michigan State University Extension in Alcona County
Published on October 19, 2017
-
Future Spartan already building MSU network through underwater robotics, science career exploration
Published on May 29, 2018
-
Impacts made in Clare County through Michigan State University Extension
Published on June 15, 2018
-
MSU named Top 10 agriculture and forestry college in new report
Published on March 23, 2021
-
Sea Grant 50th Anniversary: Celebrating the work of our Extension educators
Published on July 29, 2016
-
Great Lakes freighters - and crews - get ready for 'winter layup'
Published on November 7, 2016
Accessibility Questions:
For questions about accessibility and/or if you need additional accommodations for a specific document, please send an email to ANR Communications & Marketing at anrcommunications@anr.msu.edu.