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Home/Species/ Chihuahua Ground-cherry

Physalis neomexicana

Rydb.

Chihuahua Ground-cherry

G5Secure Found in 14 roadless areas NatureServe Explorer →
G5SecureGlobal Rank
UnknownThreat Impact
Identity
Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.154026
Element CodePDSOL0S0P1
Record TypeSPECIES
ClassificationSpecies
Classification StatusStandard
Name CategoryVascular Plant
Endemicendemic to a single nation
KingdomPlantae
PhylumAnthophyta
ClassDicotyledoneae
OrderSolanales
FamilySolanaceae
GenusPhysalis
Synonyms
Physalis subulata var. neomexicana(Rydb.) Waterfall ex Kartesz & Gandhi
Other Common Names
New Mexican groundcherry (EN) New Mexican Ground-cherry (EN)
Concept Reference
Kartesz, J.T. 1994. A synonymized checklist of the vascular flora of the United States, Canada, and Greenland. 2nd edition. 2 vols. Timber Press, Portland, OR.
Taxonomic Comments
This taxon was recognized as Physalis subulata var. neomexicana in Kartesz (1994, 1999), but is treated as a distinct species by Sullivan's FNA (2023, vol. 14) treatment.
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 Extent200,000-2,500,000 square km (about 80,000-1,000,000 square miles)
Number of Occurrences81 - 300
Rank Reasons
Physalis neomexicana is a wide-ranging annual herb found in sandy soil, pinyon-juniper associations, disturbed grasslands, roadsides, cultivated fields, and gardens. It endemic to the southwestern United States in Colorado, Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona. There are over 150 estimated occurrences. Little is known about threats or trends, but with abundant habitat, broad habitat preferences, and tolerance of light disturbance, this species is considered secure.
Range Extent Comments
Physalis neomexicana is endemic to the southwestern United States in Colorado, Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona (FNA 2023). Range extent was estimated to be approximately 600,000 square kilometers using herbarium specimens and photo-based observations documented between 1994 and 2025 (GBIF 2025, iNaturalist 2025, RARECAT 2025, SEINet 2025).
Occurrences Comments
By 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 150 occurrences rangewide (GBIF 2025, iNaturalist 2025, RARECAT 2025, SEINet 2025).
Threat Impact Comments
Although threats are not widely documented, this species is potentially threatened by development, rights-of-way maintenance, agriculture and pasturage, invasive species, and other threats in some places. However, their overall impact is likely negligible given the species' broad range and large number of occurrences.
Ecology & Habitat

Habitat

Physalis neomexicana grows in "sandy soil, pinyon-juniper associations, disturbed grasslands, roadsides, cultivated fields, [and] gardens" at 1500 to 2500 m elevation (FNA 2023).

Reproduction

This species flowers from May through September (FNA 2023).
Terrestrial Habitats
Woodland - ConiferWoodland - MixedGrassland/herbaceousOld fieldCropland/hedgerowSuburban/orchardUrban/edificarian
Other Nations (1)
United StatesN5
ProvinceRankNative
ColoradoS3Yes
New MexicoSNRYes
ArizonaSNRYes
TexasSNRYes
Threat Assessments
ThreatScopeSeverityTiming
Unknown/undetermined———

—

Plant Characteristics
DurationANNUAL
Economic Value (Genus)Yes
Roadless Areas (14)
Arizona (2)
AreaForestAcres
MuldoonPrescott National Forest5,821
Sheridan MountainPrescott National Forest37,600
New Mexico (12)
AreaForestAcres
Alamo CanyonSanta Fe National Forest8,639
Aspen MountainGila National Forest23,784
Contiguous To Black & Aldo Leopold WildernessGila National Forest111,883
Frisco BoxGila National Forest38,979
Guaje CanyonSanta Fe National Forest6,104
Latir PeakCarson National Forest3,573
Nichols ReservoirSanta Fe National Forest1,518
NolanGila National Forest13,051
RendijaSanta Fe National Forest2,176
Sawyers PeakGila National Forest59,743
T BarGila National Forest6,823
Thompson PeakSanta Fe National Forest33,001
References (6)
  1. Flora 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.
  2. Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF). 2025. Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) data portal. Online. Available: https://www.gbif.org/ (accessed 2025).
  3. iNaturalist. 2025. Online. Available: https://www.inaturalist.org (accessed 2025).
  4. Kartesz, J.T. 1994. A synonymized checklist of the vascular flora of the United States, Canada, and Greenland. 2nd edition. 2 vols. Timber Press, Portland, OR.
  5. <p>NatureServe's Rapid Analysis of Rarity and Endangerment Conservation Assessment Tool (RARECAT). 2025. Version: 2.1.1 (released April 04, 2025).</p>
  6. Southwest Environmental Information Network (SEINet). 2025. Collections Databases. Online. Available: https://swbiodiversity.org/seinet/collections/index.php (accessed 2025).