FNPS Plant Database

Physalis walteri

Walter's groundcherry
  • Photo by: Shirley Denton, Suncoast Chapter FNPS
  • Photo by: Shirley Denton, Suncoast Chapter FNPS
  • Photo by: Shirley Denton, Suncoast Chapter FNPS

Nomenclature

Common Name:

Walter's groundcherry

Synonym(s):

Walter's husk-tomato

Genus species:

Physalis walteri

Family:

Solanaceae

Plant Specifics

Form:

flower

Size:

0.5-1.0 ft tall by 0.5-1.0 ft wide

Life Span:

Long-lived perennial

Flower Color:

yellow

Fruit Color:

yellow,green

Phenology:

Noted For:

Landscaping

Recommended Uses:

Mostly planted for interest in the husked fruits

Considerations:

Availability:

Seed

Propagation:

Light:

Full Sun

Moisture Tolerance:

Always Flooded---------------------------------Extremely Dry

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Short very dry periods -to- Very long very dry periods

Salt Water Flooding Tolerance:

Unknown

Salt Spray/Salty Soil Tolerance:

Moderate. Tolerant of salty wind and may get some salt spray.

Soil or Other Substrate:

Sand, Lime Rock

Soil pH:

neutral to somewhat calcareous

Suitable to Grow In:

8A,8B,9A,9B,10A,10B,11

USDA zones are based on the average annual extreme minimum winter temperature.

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Vouchered In:

Distribution
Vouchered
Not vouchered
Selected
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No county distribution is available for this plant yet.
Starting…
Map coded by Melissa Fernandez-de Cespedes (Paynes Prairie Chapter)

Ecology

Wildlife:

Pollinators

Attracts bees.

Fruit is used by generalists.

Native Habitats:

Open sandy areas. Often coastal.

Natural Range in Florida:

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.
FNPS Plant Print

Citations:

Gann, G.D., C.J. Abbott, C.G. Stocking, K.N. Hines, and collaborators. (2001+). Walter's groundcherry [in] Natives For Your Neighborhood. ( https://www.regionalconservation.org/beta/nfyn/plantdetail.asp?tx=Physwalt ). Accessed 2026. The Institute for Regional Conservation. Delray Beach, Florida.


Sedore, David, and DeLeon, Cynthia. (Undated). Walter's Groundcherry [in] Wild South Florida. ( https://wildsouthflorida.com/walters.groundcherry.html ). Accessed 2026.

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