PROTECTING WISCONSIN'S BIODIVERSITY

 
 
   
 
Scientific Name Common Name Global Rank State Rank Federal Status WI Status

Large-flowered Ground-cherry (Leucophysalis grandiflora)

Leucophysalis_grandiflora_Kim_Wheeler.jpg

 

 

 

 

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Photo by Kim Wheeler

 

Counties with Mapped NHI Occurrences

Large-flowered Ground-cherry (Leucophysalis grandiflora), a Wisconsin 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 throughout August. The optimal identification period for this species is throughout July.

Chamaesaracha grandiflora, Physalis grandiflora

 
 
 

Large-flowered ground-cherry is an erect forb, up to 1m tall, with an inflorescence commonly of 2-4 white flowers with pale yellow centers from the upper nodes, on pedicels 10-15mm. Flowers are 3-4cm wide, corolla wide open, filaments slender, and anthers are 3mm. Its fruiting calyx is 1.5cm, round-ovoid, open at the end and nearly filled by the berry. Leaves are alternate, ovate or lance-ovate, 5-12cm long, and entire. It is taprooted and a short-lived perennial.

Blooming occurs throughout July, fruiting throughout August.

Perennial. The optimal identification period for this species is throughout July.

Associated species include Pinus species, Quercus species, and Populus species. Specific associates have not been recorded for Wisconsin populations.

Large-flowered ground-cherry prefers dry, sandy soils and is found mostly in recently burned or disturbed moist to dry forests, as well as on gravel bars of large rivers.

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 and use care with spot spraying.

Avoid locating landings, staging areas, or access routes in open sandy areas dominated by native grasses.

Prescribed burns and/or brushing may be beneficial, dependent on local site conditions and burn frequency. Rotational burns with annual unburned refugia may be preferred.

Although maintaining high overall forest canopy is important, silvicultural techniques that open small gaps in the canopy may be beneficial to this species. Seedlings and saplings of some species in openings may need to be protected from deer browse.

Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) are associated with habitats (or natural communities) and places on the landscape. Understanding relationships among SGCN, natural communities and ecological landscapes help us make decisions about issues affecting SGCN and their habitat and how to respond. Download the Wildlife Action Plan association score spreadsheet to explore rare species, natural communities and ecological landscape associations

Conservation actions respond to issues or threats, which adversely affect species of greatest conservation need (SGCN) or their habitats. Besides actions such as restoring wetlands or planting resilient tree species in northern communities, research, surveys and monitoring are also among conservation actions described in the Wisconsin Wildlife Action Plan because lack of information can threaten our ability to successfully preserve and care for natural resources.