Kendall County (IL) Forest Preserve District
Smooth Ground Cherry
(Tall Ground Cherry)
Physalis subglabrata [C-value
0]
Nightshade family (Solanaceae)
Blooms
mid-June -
mid-September
The native Smooth Ground Cherry is common in our area. It prefers full to partial sun, moist to slightly moist conditions and fertile loamy soil. Habitats include disturbed areas of black soil prairies, disturbed open woodlands, thickets and roadsides. This perenniall is up to 3½' tall and branching with a bushy appearance. The alternate to nearly opposite leaves are up to 5" long and 3" across and often undulate along the margins. Solitary drooping flowers develop from the axils of the upper leaves on slender ¾–1" long pedicels. Each flower is about ¾" across with 5 pale yellow petals, each with a purplish brown patch at the center. The flowers are replaced by husked fruits about 1" long, initially light green but later tan-colored and papery.
Smooth Ground Cherry at Blackberry Trail Forest Preserve August 14, 2013
Smooth Ground Cherry at Richard Young Forest Preserve July 9, 2015
Smooth Ground Cherry foliage at Blackberry Trail Forest Preserve August 14, 2013
Smooth Ground Cherry buds, blooms and fruits at Rose Hill Subdivision August 22, 2013
Smooth Ground Cherry fruits at Richard Young Forest Preserve August 25, 2013
Smooth Ground Cherry fall fruit at Pickerill/Pigott Forest Preserve October 29, 2014
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