Broadleaf Groundcherry

Physalis pubescens

Native to:
Albania, Argentina, Aruba, Bahamas, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, French Guiana, Galápagos, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Leeward Is., Mexico, Netherlands Antilles, Nicaragua, Panamá, Paraguay, Peru, Puerto Rico, Suriname, Trinidad-Tobago, United States, Uruguay, Windward Is.

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Taxonomy

Division:
Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
Family:
Solanaceae
Genus:
Physalis
Species:
Physalis pubescens
USDA Symbol:
PHLA10

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:
Annual
Growth Habit:
Forb/herb
Height:
60 cm
Drought Tolerance:
Medium
Bloom Months:
jun,jul,aug,sep
Bloom Colors:
yellow

Wildlife Benefits

Caterpillars:
★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)

Keystone Species Ranking

Pollen Specialist Bee Keystone:
★☆☆☆☆ Native pollen specialist bee species supported by this genus (NWF)

Host Plant for Caterpillars

corn earworm (Helicoverpa zea)

Garden & Ecology Notes

Wildlife Value:
birds, small mammals

Propagation & Germination

Stratification:
None required
Germination Time:
14–21 days
Notes:
Seeds germinate readily in warm soil (70-85°F). Light may enhance germination.

The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI