L.
Identity
Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.1333142
Element CodePDSOL0S590
Record TypeSPECIES
ClassificationSpecies
Classification StatusStandard
Name CategoryVascular Plant
Endemicoccurs (regularly, as a native taxon) in multiple nations
KingdomPlantae
PhylumAnthophyta
ClassDicotyledoneae
OrderSolanales
FamilySolanaceae
GenusPhysalis
Concept ReferenceFlora of North America Editorial Committee (FNA). 2023. Flora of North America north of Mexico. Vol. 14. Magnoliophyta: Gentianaceae to Hydroleaceae. Oxford Univ. Press, New York. xxiv + 505 pp.
Taxonomic CommentsThis record is for the broad treatment of Physalis pubescens which includes P. turbinata Medikus, P. latiphysa Waterfall, and P. pubescens var. glabra (Michaux) Waterfall as indistinct as recognized by Sullivan in FNA (2023, vol. 14) and Weakley et al. (2024). The treatment in Kartesz (1994, 1999) recognizes P. turbinata and P. latiphysa as species and include P. pubescens var. glabra in the synonymy of P. cordata. In addition, the FNA treatment does not recognize P. pubescens var. integrifolia as distinct from typical P. pubescens, while that variety was recognized in Kartesz (1994, 1999).
Conservation Status
Rank Method Rank calculation - Biotics v2
Review Date2025-10-09
Change Date2025-10-09
Edition Date2025-10-09
Edition AuthorsSoteropoulos (2025)
Threat ImpactUnknown
Range Extent>2,500,000 square km (greater than 1,000,000 square miles)
Number of Occurrences> 300
Rank ReasonsPhysalis pubescens is a wide-ranging annual herb found in low woods, edges of swamps, stream banks, floodplains, hammocks, and disturbed habitats. It is widespread in temperate North America from New Jersey west to Michigan, Wisconsin, Iowa, Kansas, and Utah, south to Florida and west to California in the United States, the tropical Americas in the West Indies, Mexico, Central America, South America. It is introduced in Australia. There are over 1200 estimated occurrences. Little is known about threats or trends, but with a large range extent and large number of occurrences, abundant habitat, and broad habitat preferences, this species is considered secure.
Range Extent CommentsPhysalis pubescens is widespread in temperate North America from New Jersey west to Michigan, Wisconsin, Iowa, Kansas, and Utah, south to Florida and west to California in the United States, the tropical Americas in the West Indies, Mexico, Central America, South America (FNA 2023, Weakley and the Southeastern Flora Team 2025). It is introduced in Australia (FNA 2023). Range extent was estimated to be over 35 million square kilometers using herbarium specimens and photo-based observations documented between 1994 and 2025 (GBIF 2025, iNaturalist 2025, RARECAT 2025, SEINet 2025).
Occurrences CommentsBy applying a 1 km separation distance to herbarium specimens and photo-based observations documented between 1994 and 2025, it is estimated that there are over 1200 occurrences rangewide (GBIF 2025, iNaturalist 2025, RARECAT 2025, SEINet 2025).
Threat Impact CommentsAlthough threats are not widely documented, this species is potentially threatened by development, logging, hydrological alteration, invasive species, and other threats in some places. However, their overall impact is likely negligible given the species' broad range, large number of occurrences, and no obvious intrinsic vulnerabilities.