Thickleaf Groundcherry (Physalis crassifolia) is in the nightshade family family (Solanaceae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 3,348 research-grade flowering observations of it in our sample, peaking in March.
Nationally it blooms mainly from November to April, but timing varies a lot by state and elevation — see the table below.
When to photograph Thickleaf Groundcherry: observations by month (U.S.)
About Thickleaf Groundcherry
Physalis crassifolia is a species of flowering plant in the nightshade family known by the common names yellow nightshade groundcherry and thick-leaf ground-cherry. It is native to the southwestern United States and northern Mexico, where it can be found in rocky, dry desert and mountain habitat. This is a perennial herb producing a ridged, angular, branching stem approaching 80 cm long, taking a clumped, matted, or erect form. The fleshy oval leaves are 1 to 3...From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Thickleaf Groundcherry by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 3,130 | March | Nov–Apr |
| Nevada | 156 | April | Mar–May |
| Arizona | 58 | January | Dec–Jan |
Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.
Related wildflowers (nightshade family)
Carolina horsenettle
Sacred Datura
Bittersweet Nightshade
Silverleaf Nightshade
Purple Groundcherry
Tree Tobacco
Desert Tobacco
Bluewitch Nightshade
Photography tips
- Photograph flowers on calm, overcast mornings to avoid wind blur and harsh shadows.
- Get low: a shallow depth of field (f/2.8–f/5.6) isolates a bloom against soft color.
- Stay on trails — trampling meadows kills plants and ruins next year's display.
- Try a kaleidoscope abstract of a single bloom with our online kaleidoscope tool.
FAQ
When is the best time to photograph Thickleaf Groundcherry?
Nationally, March has the most observations, with the main season from November to April.
Where is Thickleaf Groundcherry most often seen?
The most observations come from California, Nevada, Arizona.