Life history

Species overview

Large-flowered Ground-cherry (Leucophysalis grandiflora), a State Special Concern plant, is found mostly in recently burned or disturbed moist to dry forests, as well as on gravel bars of large rivers. Blooming occurs throughout July; fruiting occurs throughout August. The optimal identification period for this species is throughout July.

Synonyms: Chamaesaracha grandiflora, Physalis grandiflora

Identification

• Distinguishing characteristics: Flowers white with a pale yellow center, 2 to 4 from the upper nodes; leaves lance-ovate, entire.
• Flower characteristics: Inflorescence commonly of 2 to 4 flowers from the upper nodes, on pedicels 10 to 15 mm; flowers white with a pale yellow center, 3 to 4 cm wide; corolla wide open; filaments slender; anthers 3 mm.
• Fruit characteristics: Fruiting calyx 1.5 cm, round-ovoid, open at the end and nearly filled by the berry.
• Leaf characteristics: Alternate, ovate or lance-ovate, 5 to 12 cm long, entire.

Phenology

• Blooming phenology: throughout July
• Fruiting phenology: throughout August
• Optimum time to identify: throughout July

Other

• Growth form: Forb-erect
• Vegetative reproduction:
• Life cycle: Perennial
• Comments: Associated Species: Pinus spp., Quercus spp., Populus spp.; detailed associates not recorded for Wisconsin populations.

State status

Status and Natural Heritage Inventory documented occurrences in Wisconsin

The table below provides information about the protected status - state and federal - and the rank (S and G Ranks) for Large-flowered Ground-cherry (Leucophysalis grandiflora). See the Working List Key for more information about abbreviations. Counties shaded blue have documented occurrences for this species in the Wisconsin Natural Heritage Inventory database. The map is provided as a general reference of where this species has been found to date and is not meant as a range map.

Habitats and landscapes

The Natural Heritage Inventory has developed scores indicating the degree to which each of Wisconsin's rare plant species is associated with a particular natural community or ecological landscape. This information is similar to that found in the Wildlife Action Plan for animals. As this is a work in progress, we welcome your suggestions and feedback.

General habitat information

• Habitat description: Found mostly in recently burned or disturbed moist to dry forests, as well as on gravel bars of large rivers.
• Soils: Dry, sandy soils.

Natural communities

This table lists the natural communities that are associated with Large-flowered Ground-cherry. Scores for natural community associations are: "significant" association (score=3), "moderate association" (score=2) or the species can be present but is only weakly associated with the community (score=1).

Ecological landscapes

This table lists the ecological landscape association scores for Large-flowered Ground-cherry. The scores (3=High, 2=Moderate, 1=Low, 0=None) also correspond to the map.

Species guidance

The Endangered Resources Program has developed avoidance measures and management guidelines for plants on the Natural Heritage Working List. These are a work in progress, and we welcome your suggestions and feedback. Sources used in developing this information can be found here.

Avoidance measures

These are specific actions designed to avoid "take" (mortality) of this species.

• Avoid known individual plant locations and conduct operations elsewhere when they are least likely to cause damage. Ideally, this would involve frozen, snow-covered ground. However, in areas of the state where frozen conditions are unreliable, very dry soils late in the growing season might be the best available alternative. Consult with a biologist, if needed.
• Avoid broadcast spraying of herbicides; use care with spot spraying.
• Avoid locating landings, staging areas, or access routes in open sandy areas dominated by native grasses.

Management guidance

Management guidelines are additional considerations that may help maintain or enhance habitat for this species

• This species requires disturbance, including soil disturbance, and will likely benefit from canopy openings
• Prescribed burns and/or brushing may be beneficial (dependent on local site conditions).

Other resources

Links to additional Large-flowered Ground-cherry information

• NatureServe Explorer information [exit DNR]

Other links related to vascular plants (all exit the DNR website)

• Wisconsin Vascular Plants
• Freckmann Herbarium
• Atlas of Wisconsin Prairie and Savanna Flora - Wisconsin State Herbarium
• USDA - NRCS Plants Database
• USGS Midwestern Wetland Flora - field office guide to plant species
• eFloras
• Cofrin Center for Biodiversity Herbarium
• Intermountain Herbarium Grasses of North America
• Orchids of Wisconsin

Photos

Click to view a larger version. Please considering donating a photo to the Endangered Resources Program for educational uses. Photo use