Physalis walteri

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Walter's Groundcherry

Solanaceae

Also known as Walter's husk-tomato

Plant Specifics

Form:Flower
Size:0.5-1.0 ft tall by 0.5-1.0 ft wide
Life Span:Short-lived perennial
Flower Color:Yellow
Fruit Color:Yellow,green
Noted for:-

Landscaping

Recommended Uses:Mostly planted for interest in the husked fruits
Propagation:
Availability:Seed
Light: Full Sun
Moisture Tolerance:
always floodedextremely dry
 (Short very dry periods ----- to ----- Very long very dry periods)
Moisture Tolerance: Short very dry periods ----- to ----- Very long very dry periods
Salt Water Flooding Tolerance:Not salt tolerant of inundation by salty or brackish water.
Salt Spray/ Salty Soil Tolerance:Moderate. Tolerant of salty wind and may get some salt spray. Exposure to salt spray would be uncommon (major storms).
Soil or other substrate:Lime rock, Sand
Soil pH:Neutral to somewhat calcareous

Ecology

Wildlife:

Fruit is used by generalists.

Insects:
 

Attracts bees.

Native Habitats:Open sandy areas. Often coastal.

Distribution and Planting Zones

Natural Range in Florida
USDA Zones

Suitable to grow in:
10A 10B 11 8A 8B 9A 9B 

USDA zones are based on minimum winter temperatures

Comments

Ethnobotany:Fully ripe fruit is said to be edible. Related to the tomatillo.
General Comments:Based on BONAP maps and the ISB website, the range of Physalis walteri likely includes the entire peninsula of Florida but becomes restricted to areas close to the coast in much of the panhandle and along the east coast north of the peninsula.