Starhair Groundcherry
Physalis viscosa
- Native to:
- Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Mexico, Paraguay, United States, Uruguay
SAplants
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Solanaceae
- Genus:
- Physalis
- Species:
- Physalis viscosa
- USDA Symbol:
- PHVI17
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 60 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
- Bloom Months:
- may,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
Aristotelia physaliella, corn earworm (Helicoverpa zea), Five-spotted hawk moth (Manduca quinquemaculatus), Potato tuber moth (Phthorimaea operculella), Symmetrischema lavernella, Tobacco budworm (Heliothis virescens), tobacco hornworm (Manduca sexta)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, small mammals
- Salt Tolerant:
- Yes
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts from perennial rootstock after fire; common in fire-maintained grasslands and disturbed areas.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- sandy, well-drained, nutrient-poor soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- Prefers open, sunny habitats with minimal competition.
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–30 days
- Notes:
- Seeds germinate best with light exposure and warm temperatures after cold stratification.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI