Physalis walteri

Physalis walteri
Photo taken by Kevin Robertson
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Division:	Magnoliophyta - Flowering plants
Class:	Magnoliopsida – Dicotyledons
Order:	Solanales
Family:	Solanaceae
Genus:	Physalis
Species:	P. walteri
Binomial name
Physalis walteri Nutt.
Natural range of Physalis walteri from USDA NRCS Plants Database.

Common name: Walter's groundcherry

Taxonomic notes

Synonyms: Physalis maritima M.A. Curtis; P. viscosa Linnaeus ssp. maritima (M.A. Curtis) Waterfall; P. walteri var. walteri; P. walteri var. glabra (Waterfall) D.B. Ward

Ecology

Habitat

P. walteri has been observed to be growing naturally on beach dunes and back dunes, in longleaf pine flatwoods, turkey oak sandridges, sandy banks bordering salt marhes,longleaf pine/wiregrass uplands, and slash pine flatwoods (FSU Herbarium). It has been seen in human disturbed areas such as pine plantations, old fields, plowed lots, vacant lots, roadsides near beaches, roadside ditches, pastures and levees, lawns, and clearing of a swamp forest (FSU Herbarium). The soil type associated with P/ walteri includes dry loamy sand, loamy sand, and calcerous soils (such as limerock) (FSU Herbarium). Associated species include Tragia smallii, Pinus palustris, Physalis arenicola, Lobelia puberula, Quercus laevis, Sporobolus, Serenoa repens, Yucca, Lyonia, Lantana, Camara, Carex hyalinolepis, Melica mutica, Aristida, Pinus elliottii, and Helianthus debilis (FSU Herbarium).

Phenology

P. walteri is seen flowering from April to August (FSU Herbarium).

Seed dispersal

According to Kay Kirkman, a plant ecologist, this species disperses by being consumed by vertebrates (being assumed).

References and notes

Florida State University Robert K. Godfrey Herbarium database. URL: http://herbarium.bio.fsu.edu. Last accessed: July 2015. Collectors: M Y Menzel, R W Menzel, Loran C. Anderson, James R. Burkhalter, Robert K. Godfrey, O. Lakela, William Lindsey, J. B. Nelson, R. H. Wnek, C. Jackson, Robert L. Lazor, Andre F. Clewell, Robert Kral, George R. Cooley, R. J. Eaton, Sidney McDaniel, Cecil R Slaughter, Marc Minno, James D. Ray, Jr., C. E. Wood, C. E. Smith, R. D. Houk, Ann F. Johnson, M. Davis, Richard R. Clinebell II, D. E. Etles, M. S. Etles, William Lindsey, A. H. Curtiss, D. B. Ward, D. Burch. States and Counties: Florida: Brevard, Broward, Calhoun, Citrus, Collier, Dade, Duval, Escambia, Flagler, Franklin, Hernando, Holmes, Jefferson, Leon, Levy, Martin, Monroe, Nassau, Palm Beach, Pinellas, Orange, Santa Rosa, St. Johns, St. Lucie, Seminole, Suwannee, Taylor, Volusia, Wakulla. Georgia: Thomas. Compiled by Tall Timbers Research Station and Land Conservancy.