Fauna
Plant

Long-leaved Groundcherry

Physalis longifolia

Also 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
Long-leaved Groundcherry reference1 / 7
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Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preySunlight, Water, Soil Nutrients
Predators
  • Colorado Potato Beetle
  • Flea Beetles
  • Rodents
ThreatsHerbicides, intensive cultivation
HabitatsPrairies, pastures, roadsides, agricultural fields, disturbed soils
Life spanPerennial
Classification
  1. OrderSolanales
  2. FamilySolanaceae
  3. GenusPhysalis
  4. SpeciesPhysalis longifolia
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskHigh
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. 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.
Related species
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