Click on image to enlarge
|
DESCRIPTION:
Groundcherries are bushy summer annual or perennial broadleaf weeds. Cotyledons (seed leaves) are yellow-green to
gray-green. First leaves are oval to triangular, have smooth or slightly wavy margins, and a strong
odor when crushed. Mature plants have erect, hairy stems that form many branches. Leaves may be oval,
triangular, or lance-shaped, and have toothed, smooth, or wavy margins depending on species and
growing conditions. The narrow bell-shaped flowers have five lobes and are yellow or whitish with
yellow, green, or purple centers. A distinctive papery husk, often with green or purple veins,
surrounds the fruit, which is green, yellowish, or purple and the size of a cherry. Seeds are small
and round or kidney-shaped. Flower color, fruit color and seed shape vary with
species. Lanceleaf groundcherry is shown here.
Broadleaf ID illustration.
|
