Physalis grisea (Waterfall) M. Martínez. Common name: Gray Ground-cherry, Strawberry-tomato, Dwarf Cape-gooseberry. Phenology: May-Nov; Aug-Oct. Habitat: Wooded slopes, disturbed areas. Distribution: The species is mainly distributed in ne. United States, south (mainly) to NC, TN, and MO, and scattered farther south.
ID notes: "Physalis grisea can be distinguished from P. pubescens by the often larger leaves that have a distinctive gray-green color and usually exhibit orange patches on drying" (Sullivan 2023b).
Origin/Endemic status: Native
Taxonomy Comments: Martínez (1993) discusses the nomenclature of this species, showing that P. pruinosa Linnaeus is properly applied to a Mexican and Central American species.
Other Comments: The fruits are edible, sweet, and tasty.
Synonymy ⓘ: = FNA14, Il, K4, Mi, Mo3, NE, NY, Tn, Va, Martínez (1998), Sullivan (2004), Ward (2008a); = n/a — Pa; = Physalis pubescens L. var. grisea Waterf. — C, GrPl, RAB; < Physalis pruinosa L. — W, misapplied; >< Physalis pruinosa L. — F, G, S, Tat, misapplied. Basionym: Physalis pubescens L. var. grisea Waterf. 1958
Links to other floras: = Physalis grisea - FNA14
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Heliophily ⓘ: 8
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© Michael K. Oliver, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Michael K. Oliver source CC-BY | Original Image ⭷ Warning: was NOT research grade.
© Michael K. Oliver, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Michael K. Oliver source CC-BY | Original Image ⭷ Warning: was NOT research grade.
© Rochelle Davis, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Rochelle Davis source CC-BY | Original Image ⭷
© Peter Nathaniel Boyer, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Peter Nathaniel Boyer source CC-BY | Original Image ⭷
© Michael K. Oliver, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Michael K. Oliver source CC-BY | Original Image ⭷ Warning: was NOT research grade.Feedback
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Horticultural Information
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