Native Plant Database

From the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Fruit:

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Yellow , Green , Brown
Bloom Time: Jun , Jul , Aug , Sep

Distribution

USA: AL , AR , AZ , CO , CT , DC , DE , FL , GA , IA , ID , IL , IN , KS , KY , LA , MA , MD , ME , MI , MN , MO , MS , MT , NC , ND , NE , NH , NJ , NY , OH , OK , OR , PA , RI , SC , SD , TN , TX , UT , VA , VT , WA , WI , WV , WY
Canada: MB , ON , PE , QC , SK
Native Distribution: Ontario east to Nova Scotia, south to Florida, west to Texas, north to North Dakota; also in much of West.
Native Habitat: Dry woods and clearings.
USDA Native Status: L48(N), CAN(N)

Growing Conditions

Soil Moisture: Dry

Benefit

Use Food: EDIBLE PARTS: Ripe fruits are edible. Collect during late July or August. Wash only with warm water; no detergent or sanitizer. (Poisonous Plants of N.C.)
Warning: POISONOUS PARTS: Unripe berries and leaves. Highly Toxic, May be Fatal if eaten. Symptoms include headache, stomach pain, lowered temperature, dilated pupils, vomiting, diarrhea, circulatory and respiratory depression, loss of sensation. Toxic Principle: Solanine and other solanidine alkaloids. (Poisonous Plants of N.C.)
Conspicuous Flowers: yes

Recommended Species Lists

Find native plant species by state. Each list contains commercially available species suitable for gardens and planned landscapes. Once you have selected a collection, you can browse the collection or search within it using the combination search.

View Recommended Species page

Additional resources

USDA: Find Physalis heterophylla in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Physalis heterophylla in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Physalis heterophylla