Arid Llano Estacado, Canadian/Cimarron High Plains, Llano Estacado, Rolling Sand Plains, Shinnery Sands
Northern Nueces Alluvial Plains, Rio Grande Floodplain and Terraces, Semiarid Edwards Bajada, Texas-Tamaulipan Thornscrub
Canadian/Cimarron Breaks, Caprock Canyons Badlands Breaks, Flat Tablelands and Valleys, Semiarid Canadian Breaks
Plant Characteristics
Growth Form
Groundcover
Height
.25
to
.5
ft.
Spread
1
to
2
ft.
Leaf Retention
Deciduous
Lifespan
Perennial
Habitat and Care Requirements
Soil Type(s)
Sand, Loam, Gravelly, Well Drained, Dry
Light Requirement
Sun, Part Shade
Water Requirement
Low
Native Habitat
Grassland, Woodland
Bloom and Attraction
Bloom Color
White, Blue, Purple
Bloom Season
Spring, Summer, Winter
Seasonal Interest
Berry
Wildlife Benefit
Birds
Maintenance
Prefers full sun or light shade, like under a mesquite tree. In well prepared soil and a little water, it can fill in an area solidly in only three or four months.
Comments
Blooms March-October. Purple groundcherry grows almost flat on the ground. Flowers are purple, blue, or white. Leaves are fuzzy, gray-green, often coarsely toothed or deeply cut, with rounded lobes. This plant is drought tolerant. It blooms until frost, when the top dies, but the roots continue to expand throughout the winter, sending up new growth in the spring for a larger colony each year. Berries are toxic to humans.
Previous Scientific Name(s): Synonym/s: Physalis lobata, Physalis lobata var. albiflora
References
1) Griffith, Bryce, Omernick & Rodgers (2007). Ecoregions of Texas. 2) https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=QULO2. 3) https://portal.torcherbaria.org/portal/taxa/index.php?taxon=Quincula+lobata&formsubmit=Search+Terms. 4) http://bonap.net/TDC/Image/Map?taxonType=Species&taxonId=23321&locationType=County&mapType=Normal 5) Wasowski and Wasowski, Native Texas Plants Landscaping Region by Region, 1991, pg 107. 6) https://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=504721#null