Prairie ground cherry (Physalis hederifolia)

Also known as: sticky cape gooseberry

Prairie ground cherry is a summer-growing perennial. Infestations are in central Vic and parts of Riverina, NSW.

Profile

How does this weed affect you?

Prairie ground cherry forms dense infestations in pastures, crops and roadsides, reducing available fodder and displacing desirable species. When well established, competes with other vegetation, particularly summer crops, for moisture, nutrients and space.

What does it look like?

Prairie ground cherry is a summer-growing perennial 25 to 60 cm high with an extensive root system. The leaves are light green and have wavey margins. The leaves near the base of the plant are up to 5 cm long and 3 cm wide. The leaves higher up are 3 cm long and 1 cm wide. The flowers are pale yellow and bell-shaped. The fruit are orange coloured berries inside a 10 sided bladder-like case.

Where is it found?

Most infestations in NSW are in the Murray region. There are also infestations in the Central West, Riverian and Western Regions.

It is native plant to North America.

Maps and records

• Recorded presence of Prairie ground cherry during property inspections (Map: Biosecurity Information System - Weeds, 2017-2023)
  These records are made by authorised officers during property inspections under the Biosecurity Act 2015. Officers record the presence of priority weeds in their council area and provide this to the NSW Department of Primary Industries. Records reflect the presence of the weed on the date of inspection.
  
  

How does it spread?

By seeds

The berries are eaten by livestock, birds and other animals. The fruit are also spread by wind and water.

By plant parts

Small pieces of root can reshoot. These may be spread by cultivation equipment and in contaminated hay.

References

Parsons, W. T., Parsons, W. T., & Cuthbertson, E. G. (2001). Noxious weeds of Australia. CSIRO publishing.

PlantNET (The NSW Plant Information Network System). Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust, Sydney. Retrieved 11 December 2020 from: http://plantnet.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au

More information

back to top

Control

Herbicide options

See Using herbicides for more information.

---

Amitrole 250 g/L + Ammonium thiocyanate 220 g/L (Various products)
Rate: 1.1 L in 100 L of water
Comments: Spot spray. Active growth before flowering.
Withholding period: Nil
Herbicide group: Q, Bleachers: Inhibitors of carotenoid biosynthesis unknown target
Resistance risk: Moderate

---

Dicamba 750 g/L (Kamba® 750)
Rate: 2.7 L/ha Use a minimum of 1500 L/ha water carrier. Add a surfactant.
Comments: Boom spray for non-crop situations. Spray prior to flowering.
Withholding period: Do not harvest, graze or cut for stock food for 7 days after application.
Herbicide group: I, Disruptors of plant cell growth (synthetic auxins)
Resistance risk: Moderate

---

Dicamba 750 g/L (Kamba® 750)
Rate: 185 mL per 100 L of water. Add a surfactant.
Comments: Spray prior to flowering. For non crop situations.
Withholding period: Do not harvest, graze or cut for stock food for 7 days after application.
Herbicide group: I, Disruptors of plant cell growth (synthetic auxins)
Resistance risk: Moderate

---

Dicamba 750 g/L (Kamba® 750)
Rate: 40 mL per 15 L of water
Comments: Spot spray prior to flowering. For non-crop situations.
Withholding period: Do not harvest, graze or cut for stock food for 7 days after application.
Herbicide group: I, Disruptors of plant cell growth (synthetic auxins)
Resistance risk: Moderate

---

back to top

Biosecurity duty

The content provided here is for information purposes only and is taken from the Biosecurity Act 2015 and its subordinate legislation, and the Regional Strategic Weed Management Plans (published by each Local Land Services region in NSW). It describes the state and regional priorities for weeds in New South Wales, Australia.

Area	Duty
All of NSW	General Biosecurity Duty All pest plants are regulated with a general biosecurity duty to prevent, eliminate or minimise any biosecurity risk they may pose. Any person who deals with any plant, who knows (or ought to know) of any biosecurity risk, has a duty to ensure the risk is prevented, eliminated or minimised, so far as is reasonably practicable.
Murray Core infestation zone: Berrigan Shire Council, Edward River Council, Greater Hume Council, Murray River Council, Murrumbidgee Council. Exclusion zone: Albury City Council, Federation Council, Snowy Valleys Council.	Regional Recommended Measure* (for Regional Priority - Containment) Within exclusion zone: Land managers should mitigate the risk of the plant being introduced to their land. Land managers should eradicate the plant from the land and keep the land free of the plant. A person should not deal with the plant, where dealings include but are not limited to buying, selling, growing, moving, carrying or releasing the plant. Notify local control authority if found. Within core infestation area: Land managers should mitigate the risk of the plant being introduced to their land. Land managers should mitigate spread of the plant from their land. A person should not buy, sell, move, carry or release the plant into the environment. Land managers should reduce the impact of the plant on assets of high economic, environmental and/or social value.
Riverina	Regional Recommended Measure* (for Regional Priority - Eradication) Land managers should mitigate the risk of the plant being introduced to their land. Land managers should eradicate the plant from the land and keep the land free of the plant. A person should not deal with the plant, where dealings include but are not limited to buying, selling, growing, moving, carrying or releasing the plant. Notify local control authority if found. Your local biosecurity weeds officer can help to identify, advise on control, and how to remove this weed.
	*To see the Regional Strategic Weeds Management Plans containing demonstrated outcomes that fulfil the general biosecurity duty for this weed click here

back to top

Reviewed 2023