Mexico is the center of diversity for Physalis, so as you move south, species diversity drops, and the majority of species found are either cultivated or widespread weeds.
According to the Flora and Fungi of Brazil website (Flora e Funga do Brasil), there are seven species of Physalis found there: P. angulata, P. ampla, P. cordata, P. peruviana, P. pruinosa, P. pubescens, P. viscosa.
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Mexico is the center of diversity for Physalis, so as you move south, species diversity drops, and the majority of species found are either cultivated or widespread weeds.
According to the Flora and Fungi of Brazil website (Flora e Funga do Brasil), there are seven species of Physalis found there: P. angulata, P. ampla, P. cordata, P. peruviana, P. pruinosa, P. pubescens, P. viscosa.
There is a Physalis Identification Key available at the Flora and Fungi of Brazil website.
Quick species descriptions:
P. viscosa: Fuzzy perennial species covered in very short (x<1 mm) velvety branched hairs. Fruiting calyx with 10 prominent veins and a generally rounded or 10-angled shape. Mature fruit usually golden yellow to tangerine orange. Flowers with yellowish or greenish spots. One of the few truly South American species of Physalis.
P. peruviana: Fuzzy perennial species (annual if freezing winters) covered in soft, simple (unbranched), non-glandular hairs. Large plants, commonly reaching 1 m tall. Mature fruit golden yellow to yellow orange. Fruiting calyx with 10 prominent veins and a generally rounded or 10-angled shape. Flowers with blackish spots, often bleeding out to touch the edge of the corolla. A South American native, but now widespread due to cultivation for its sweet berries.
P. angulata: Glabrous (nearly hairless) annuals. Fruiting calyx with 10 prominent veins and a generally rounded or 10-angled shape. Veins of calyx usually purple. Flowers small and unspotted or with brownish smudges in throats. Widespread weedy species.
P. ampla: Sparsely hairy annuals with long, stiff, simple (unbranched), non-glandular hairs. Fruiting calyx with 10 prominent veins and a generally rounded or 10-angled shape with long, stiff hairs along the ribs.
P. cordata: Glabrous (nearly hairless) annuals. Fruiting calyx with 5 prominent veins and a sharply pentagonal or 5-angled shape. Flowers with sharp brown or black spots. Widespread species but not a common weed.
P. pruinosa: Fuzzy annuals covered in simple (unbranched), glandular hairs. Fruiting calyx with 5 prominent veins and a sharply pentagonal or 5-angled shape. Calyx lobes in flower extremely slender and long, often sticking out past the edge of the corolla. Flowers often unspotted. Widespread weedy species.
P. pubescens: Fuzzy annuals covered in simple (unbranched), glandular hairs. Fruiting calyx with 5 prominent veins and a sharply pentagonal or 5-angled shape. Flowers with sharp black spots. Widespread weedy species.
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