Calliphysalis

Calliphysalis is a genus of perennial plants in the nightshade family Solanaceae.^[1] It is monotypic, being represented by the single species Calliphysalis carpenteri, commonly known as Carpenter's groundcherry. Calliphysalis carpenteri is native to sandy soils on the coastal plain regions of south-eastern North America from northern Florida to Louisiana and Arkansas,^[2][3] it was first described from specimens collected in West Feliciana Parish, Louisiana.^[4] Its species name honors the botanical contributions of early Louisiana naturalist William Marbury Carpenter (1811-1848).^[1][4]

Carpenter's groundcherry
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Clade:	Asterids
Order:	Solanales
Family:	Solanaceae
Genus:	Calliphysalis Whitson
Species:	C. carpenteri
Binomial name
Calliphysalis carpenteri (Riddell) Whitson
Synonyms
Physalis carpenteri Riddell

Taxonomy

Prior to 2012, this species was known as Physalis carpenteri. At that time it was placed in a new, monotypic genus, Calliphysalis, based on chromosomal, molecular, morphological, and phylogenetic data that demonstrated its uniqueness.^[5]

Among species in Physalis and related genera, Carpenter's groundcherry is believed to be most closely related to Alkekengi officinarum (formerly Physalis alkekengi).^[6]

Uses

The Plants for a Future project notes that Calliphysalis carpenteri belongs to a genus which includes members with poisonous leaves and stems, although the fully ripe fruits are usually edible, and give it an Edibility Rating of 2 out of 5, with no medicinal value or other uses noted.^[2]