Thick-leaved Ground Cherry
Physalis CrassifoliaHeight: Usually 6 to 18 inches tall
Habitat: Rocky or sandy desert slopes, washes, and scrub
Elevation: Found up to about 5,000 feet
Range: Southwestern United States—especially in California, Nevada, Arizona, Utah, and into Baja California and northwestern Mexico
Description:
Thick-leaved Ground Cherry is a low, spreading perennial with thick, fuzzy gray-green leaves. It produces small yellow flowers with dark centers, followed by papery husk-covered fruits—like tiny lanterns. These husks are the plant’s signature feature, giving the fruit its “ground cherry” name.
Uses:
The fruit is sometimes edible when fully ripe, but some species of Physalis can be toxic when unripe, so caution is advised. Indigenous groups may have used it occasionally for food. It also plays a role in the desert ecosystem by supporting pollinators and wildlife.
Note:
This plant is hardy and quiet, but the husk-covered fruits make it stand out. It’s one of those desert plants that stays low to the ground, biding its time and making the most of brief rains and dry heat.
