This uncommon species of fields and open woods is very similar to the much more common Physalis virginiana. This plant has leaves which are smooth or minutely hairy on its veins. P. virginiana leaves are consistently sparsely hairy underneath. Another more common species, P. heterophylla, has hairy upper stems. Yellow-brown flowers of all of our species hang beneath the leaves. Seed pods are inflated, giving a Chinese lantern appearance. (Solanaceae)
