Chinese Lantern
Quincula lobata (Torr.) Raf.
Family :Solanaceae
Longevity : Perennial
Origin :Native
Season :Warm
Purple Ground Cherry is a low sprawling perennial that can reach a foot in length. The bell shaped flower is 3/4 to 1 inch in diameter and is blue or violet in color. The leaves are between one and four inches in length, lobed and shallowly toothed. The yellow fruit is edible and has been used to make preserves. Purple Ground Cherry grows in the various dry soils of the South Texas Plains and Edwards Plateau regions. It can be found in bloom from March until December. The leaves are occasionally eaten by white-tailed deer.
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