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Integrated Crop Management
Integrated Crop Management
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Smooth groundcherry

Smooth groundcherry                    Physalis longifolia Nutt.

Family:  Solanaceae (Nightshade family)                                               Life cycle:  Perennial reproducing by seed and rhizomes

Habitat:   Pastures, crop fields                                                   Native status:  Native to North America

General description:  Erect, branched plant reaching heights of 2 ft.  Stems are ridged and often are purplish.  Leaves alternate, smooth, ovate to lanceolate with entire or widely spaced teeth.  Leaves often have small holes due to flea beetle feeding.  Flowers up to 1 in diameter, yellowish green with purple center.  Fruit is surrounded by papery, bladder-like casing (Chinese lantern).  Mature berries are orange to red.

Key ID traits:   Dull green leaves with irregular toothed margin.  Chinese lantern fruit.  Leaves often have holes due to flea beetle feeding. Stems are usually ridged.

Similar species:   Black nightshade in the vegetative stage has similar growth habit, but leaves of nightshade are typically thinner and stems smooth.  Flowers and fruit of the two species are very different.

glabrous leaves with irregularly toothed margins and branched stems
Glabrous leaves with irregularly toothed margins and branched stems
pale yellow flowers with dark center and fused petals
Pale yellow flowers with dark center and fused petals
majority of plants develop from established rootstocks
Majority of plants develop from established rootstocks
berries surrounded by papery calyx
Berries surrounded by papery calyx
Authored by:
Bob Hartzler
Bob Hartzler
  • Retired Weed Scientist and Professor of Agronomy
Dr. Bob Hartzler is a former professor of agronomy and a former extension weed specialist with a Ph.D. in Crop Physiology from Iowa State University. He conducted research on weed biology and how it impacts the efficacy of weed management programs in corn and soybean. Dr. Hartzler also taught undergraduate classes in weed science and weed identification.
Meaghan Anderson
Meaghan Anderson
  • Field Agronomist in Central Iowa
Meaghan Anderson is a field agronomist serving nine counties in central Iowa and an extension specialist with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. Areas of expertise include weed management, weed biology, cover crops, corn and soybean management, and integrated pest management.

Meaghan holds a bachelor's degree in agronomy and a master's degree in crop production and physiology (focus: weed science) from Iowa State University.

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