Physalis hederifolia
A.GrayPerennial herb to 30 cm high, rhizomatous, sparsely pubescent with minute forked hairs at least on margins of calyx. Lower leaves alternate, ovate-lanceolate, to c. 5 cm long, to 3 cm wide; upper leaves often 2 per node and subopposite, lanceolate, to c. 3 cm long, to 1 cm wide, apex obtuse, base cuneate, margins toothed or sinuate or sometimes entire; petiole to c. 2 cm long, narrowly winged above. Flowers on pedicels 7–12 mm long; calyx 6–10 mm long, lobes triangular, 2–4 mm long; corolla rotate or 5-angled, 11–15 mm long, pale yellow, often blotched olive-yellow towards base; anthers 3–4 mm long; style 9–10 mm long, stigma capitate. Fruiting calyx 10-angled, 15–20(–30) mm long, dull yellow-green, drying pale brown or straw-coloured; berry globose, 10–15 mm diam.; seeds lenticular, 1.7–2.3 mm long, yellowish. Flowers spring–autumn.
MuM, Wim, VVP, VRiv, MuF, GipP, OtP, WaP, Gold, CVU, NIS, EGL, HSF, HNF, OtR. Also naturalised WA, SA, NSW. Native to southern U.S.A and northern Mexico. Widespread, particularly in dry inland areas where found near cultivation and other disturbed sites.
This species was formerly known in Australia as Physalis viscosa which is a misapplication.
Jeanes, J.A. (1999). Solanaceae. In: Walsh, N.G.; Entwisle, T.J., Flora of Victoria Vol. 4, Cornaceae to Asteraceae, pp. 332–365. Inkata Press, Melbourne.
Spinning
