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Calliphysalis carpenteri (Riddell) Whitson
Carpenter's Ground-cherry
Federal Protection: No US federal protection
State Protection: No Georgia state protection
Global Rank: G3
State Rank: S1
Element Locations Tracked in Biotics: Yes
SWAP 2015 Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN): Yes
SWAP 2025 Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN): Yes
2025 SGCN Priority Tier: High Conservation Concern
Element Occurrences (EOs) in Georgia: 1
Habitat Summary for element in Georgia: Mesic, limestone bluff forest.
Perennial herb from a taproot with solitary stems 2.5 - 5 feet (0.75 - 1.5 meters) tall, covered with sticky hairs; older plants are well branched and bushy, spreading up to 3 feet (90 cm) wide. Leaves are 2.75 - 5.5 inches (7 - 14 cm) long and 1 - 3.7 inches (3 - 9.5 cm) wide, alternate; oval, lance-shaped, or elliptic; covered with sticky hairs; margins are entire, sinuate, or irregularly toothed; leaf stalks are 0.2 - 3.7 inches (0.5 - 9.5 cm) long. Clusters of 2 - 6 flowers arise from the leaf axils (flowers are rarely solitary). The flowers are 0.4 - 2 inches (1 - 2.5 cm) wide, nodding, broadly bell-shaped with 5 points, yellow with 5 olive green- or mustard-colored spots inside at the base of the flower. The calyx is also bell-shaped with 5 lobes, covered in sticky hairs. Mature fruits are round, mustard-yellow berries enclosed in a yellow or brown, papery calyx; the calyx is not inflated but clings to the fruit. Inside the fruit are many dark brown, round or kidney-shaped seeds as well as round, pale tan, stony bodies of unknown function.
Carpenter’s Ground-cherry is closely related to the Ground-cherries in the genus Physalis. Plants in that genus have solitary flowers with calyxes that enlarge to inflated “lanterns” that loosely enclose the fruit. Eight Physalis species occur in Georgia, five of which are fairly common. All occur in dry woodlands and disturbed areas. Smooth Ground Cherry (P. angulata) stems and leaves are hairless, the leaves are usually toothed, and the flowers are solid yellow, without dark spots. Clammy Ground Cherry (P. heterophylla) is also covered with sticky hairs and its leaves are coarsely toothed; it occurs mostly in north Georgia. Downy Ground Cherry (P. pubescens) is usually sticky-hairy throughout and its leaves are toothed. Dune Ground Cherry (P. walteri) also has sticky-hairy stems and entire leaves; its leaves are covered with branched, star-shaped hairs.
Calliphysalis carpenteri is the only species in that genus. There is one species in the genus Physalis that is rare in Georgia, Physalis arenicola, Sandhill Ground-cherry. It occurs in sandhills, flatwoods, and cypress ponds in the Coastal Plain.
In Georgia, Carpenter’s Ground-cherry occurs in a deciduous hardwood hammock on a limestone-based bluff overlooking the Flint River in the Coastal Plain. In other states, it also occurs in tree-fall gaps in hammocks and in sunny areas along trails through woodlands.
Calliphysalis carpenteri (synonym Physalis carpenteri) is a tap-rooted perennial that typically occurs as scattered individuals (only rarely in patches). It has perfect flowers that are probably pollinated by bees and that are also partially self-fertile. Seed set is lower in self-fertilized plants, and the berries are less than one-half their usual size. The seeds of the closely related Physalis virginiana are dispersed by birds, turtles, and mammals that eat the fruit. Seeds stored for nearly 10 years in a refrigerator remained viable and germinated well when planted. Prolonged seed viability and the ability to self-fertilize are adaptations for living in ephemeral or variable habitats and at low population density. If, like Physalis, Calliphysalis carpenteri foliage is toxic and bitter, it is probably not browsed or grazed by mammals.
Calliphysalis carpenteri typically blooms June–July, but may fruit and flower until frost.
Coastal Plain of Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana.
Calliphysalis carpenteri is threatened by logging, conversion of habitat to residential and commercial development, and invasion by exotic pest plants.
| Threat 1 | Threat 2 | Threat 3 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Threat | Natural system modifications | Invasive & other problematic species, genes & diseases | Residential & commercial development |
| Specific Threat | None | None | None |
Calliphysalis carpenteri is ranked S1 by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, indicating that it is critically imperiled in the state. The single population in Georgia occurs in a conservation and research preserve in southwest Georgia.
Protect deciduous hardwood hammocks from frequent fire, development, and logging. Monitor populations for invasion by exotic pest plants such as Chinese Privet and hand-clear if necessary. Monitor populations for browsing by deer and cage plants if necessary.
GADNR. 2019. Element occurrence record for Calliphysalis carpenteri. Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources Division. Social Circle, Georgia.
Hilty, J. 2019. Species account for Virginia Ground Cherry, Physalis virginiana. Illinois Wildflowers. Accessed 30 July 2019. https://www.illinoiswildflowers.info
NatureServe. 2019. Species account for Calliphysalis carpenteri. NatureServe Explorer: an online encyclopedia of life, Version 7.1. NatureServe, Arlington, Virginia. Accessed 30 July 2019. http://explorer.natureserve.org/servlet/NatureServe?searchName= Calliphysalis+carpenteri
Weakley, A.S. 2015. Flora of the southern and mid-Atlantic States. University of North Carolina Herbarium, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. http://www.herbarium.unc.edu/flora.htm
Whitson, M. 2012. Calliphysalis (Solanaceae): a new genus from the southeastern USA. Rhodora 114(958): 133-147. https://www.rhodorajournal.org/doi/abs/10.3119/11-10
Linda G. Chafin
Linda G. Chafin, 30 July 2019: original account
