Missouri Groundcherry

Physalis missouriensis

Taxonomy

Division:
Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
Family:
Solanaceae
Genus:
Physalis
Species:
Physalis missouriensis

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:
Annual
Growth Habit:
Forb/herb
Height:
2-3 ft
Light Requirements:
Full Sun
Drought Tolerance:
Medium
Bloom Months:
may, jun, jul, aug, sep
Bloom Colors:
Yellow, Green, Brown

Native Range

United States: Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Texas

Keystone Species Ranking

Bee Keystone:
★★★★★ Based on number of native bee species using this genus for pollen and nectar (Source: National Wildlife Federation)

Host Plant for Caterpillars

corn earworm (Helicoverpa zea)

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:
sandy, well-drained, nutrient-poor soil
pH:
6.0 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
Drainage:
excellent drainage required
Moisture:
dry to moderate
Notes:
native to open, sandy prairies and rocky areas

Germination Information

Pre-treatment: Single-step cold-moist stratification for temperate woodland species. for 60–120 days

Notes: Seeds germinate readily without pretreatment.

Source: OpenAI GPT-4o