Rare and endangered spotlight: Leucophysalis grandiflora

I write these for a Southern Ontario seed group on Facebook, thought I would share here to extend reach/awareness about native species. I can't provide information on the county level for places outside Ontario unfortunately.

A showy annual in the nightshade family Solanaceae, Tribe Physaleae, though a seperate genus from true Physalis (ground cherries). It is listed as "Apparently Secure" however it is quite rare, Vulnerable and Endangered throughout its native range. This is likely because it is dependent on soil disturbance in order to persist at a given location. If the soil is not disturbed it will likely not persist more than a few years.

Grows up to 3 feet tall in full sun, in sandy/gravelly naturally or un-naturally disturbed areas. The leaves are sticky and hairy. Unlike Physalis its fruit is not contained within a lantern, rather the calyx enlarges with the fruit and is open at the tip, both turn yellow as it matures.

Current Ontario range in capitals as of 2009, lower case is historical range but extirpated: BRUCE, cochrane, frontenac, lambton, LANARK, MANITOULIN, MUSKOKA, NIPISSING, OTTAWA, PETERBOROUGH, RAINY RIVER, RENFROE, temiskaming, THUNDER BAY.

The range is decreasing so it is possible that this information is not representative of its current range. I think this plant would benefit greatly from stewardship as we could potentially replicate disturbance necessary for it to continue its lifecycle at a given location.

This plant as far as I know is not in any sort of cultivation.

As always if you have additional information/corrections don't hesitate to share.

Photos are not mine.