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Questions and Answers: 2021

Question: Hello! I grew husk cherry (Physalis pruinosa) this past season with seeds from Johnny's. Can you tell me if P. …

• Question

  Hello! I grew husk cherry (Physalis pruinosa) this past season with seeds from Johnny's. Can you tell me if P. pruinosa is native to New England? I see on your site that P. grisea is native, and that P. pruinosa is a synonym. However, your site also mentions some confusion around P. pruinosa. I just want to be sure. Thank you!

  Answer

  Dear laurie.r, good morning. Physalis grisea has been called by the name Physalis pruinosa in New England. However, it is not exactly a synonym (but a misapplied name). It has also been misapplied to Physalis pubescens (a non-native species). There is no way to know what Johnny's Select Seeds is selling without examining a specimen of the plant grown from the seeds. Do you have images or specimens that could be examined? If so, contact me at ahaines@nativeplanttrust.org and we can try to resolve your mystery.