Physalis missouriensis

Herbs annual, taprooted, sparsely to densely pubescent, hairs simple, jointed, glandular and eglandular, to 0.5 mm. Stems erect, branching at most nodes, branches spreading, 1.5–5.5 dm. Leaves petiolate; petiole 2/5 to as long as blade; blade broadly ovate to orbiculate, 2.5–5.5 × 1.5–5 cm, base rounded, sometimes truncate, margins irregularly, shallowly crenate-dentate. Pedicels 4–7 mm, 5–10 mm in fruit. Flowers: calyx 2.5–4 mm, densely glandular-pubescent, lobes 1–2 mm; corolla yellow, without spots or smudges, campanulate-rotate, 5–7 mm; anthers yellow, not twisted after dehiscence, 1–1.5 mm. Fruiting calyces loosely enclosing berry, 10-ribbed, 10–20 × 10–20 mm. 2n = 24.

Phenology: Flowering Jun–Sep(–Oct).
Habitat: Rocky bluffs, dolomite ledges, cliffs, wooded slopes and stream banks primarily on the Ozark Plateau.
Elevation: 50–500 m.

Ark., Kans., Mo., Nebr., Okla.

Discussion

Physalis missouriensis is uncommon and most easily confused with P. pubescens, from which it can be distinguished by its unspotted corolla and ten-ribbed fruiting calyx.

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa