Plant · GBIF taxon 5341818
long-leaved groundcherry
Physalis longifoliaAlso known as Common Groundcherry, Longleaf Groundcherry, Wild Tomatillo
Long-leaved groundcherry spreads through deep underground rhizomes, forming bushy colonies along prairies, pastures, and disturbed roadsides. In summer, five-lobed yellow flowers with distinctive dark purple centers yield small spherical berries encased within papery, lantern-like husks. Birds and small mammals aid in seed dispersal by consuming mature fallen fruits during autumn.
FloweringPerennialFruiting
Licensed referenceno rights reserved, uploaded by Craig Martin · cc0
—observations
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—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Sunlight
- Water
- Soil Nutrients
Predators
- Colorado Potato Beetle
- Flea Beetles
- Rodents
ThreatsHerbicides, intensive cultivation
HabitatsPrairies, pastures, roadsides, agricultural fields, disturbed soils
Life spanPerennial
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- OrderSolanales
- FamilySolanaceae
- GenusPhysalis
- SpeciesPhysalis longifolia
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskHigh
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is high
- Unripe berries and foliage contain toxic alkaloids, and wild fruit has dangerous look-alikes; do not ingest.
- Why it is dangerous
- Unripe berries, stems, and leaves contain toxic solanine alkaloids that cause severe stomach pain, nausea, and vomiting.
- How to recognize a risky encounter
- Look for drooping papery green lanterns enclosing a small berry along sprawling stems with smooth, lanceolate leaves.
- What to do
- Observe plants without damaging stems and avoid consuming any wild berries or plant parts.
Responsible observation
- Examining Husks: Gently peel back the papery green envelope to observe the developing spherical fruit inside.
- Habitat Spotting: Look for colonies along sunny pasture edges, gravelly roadsides, and agricultural borders.
Close Relative (c) carnifex, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by carnifex · cc-by
Image unavailableClose Relative 
Close Relative no rights reserved, uploaded by Owen McElroy · cc0
Family Relative (c) Douglas Goldman, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Douglas Goldman · cc-by-sa
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