This plant is believed to be extirpated in the wild in Florida.  According to most sources, it was known from a single area south of Miami near Biscayne Bay.  Old specimens at the University of Florida Herbarium for Escambia and Okaloosa counties were re-examined in 2006 and re-identified as Baccacharis dioica.  It has also been reported to have been found on a dune near Mobile, AL (Woodlanders, Inc.) and introduced into the nursery trade from there.  The map of herbarium speciment locations on the Florida Plant Atlas have not been updated.  Plants commercially available in FL apparently come from imports from the Bahamas. Where a moderate-sized shrub is wanted.

Shade tree.

Use along streams or edges of retention areas. Can be a screen or specimen tree in moist areas. Blooms better in moderate to high light settings.

Citrus County specimen does not come up in the FLAS database search, so the County is not included on our map. Specimen plant in moist shade gardens. Grow it on downed logs, lower trunks of cypress, or on rock. Needs to be in a moist, humid environment.

Based on BONAP maps and the ISB website, the range of Physalis walteri likely includes the entire peninsula of Florida but becomes restricted to areas close to the coast in much of the panhandle and along the east coast north of the peninsula. Mostly planted for interest in the husked fruits

It's a legume, so nitrogen fixation may help it survive in low nutrient soils. Fast growing. Shade tree. Attractive for its lacy foliage. Does well as a street tree.

Wildflower garden, groundcover

Wind pollinated.  Dioecious.  According to Huegel (2010), the flowers attract insects. Plant tree in areas where fallen fruit will not be an issue.

The wood is weak. Shade tree. Semi-evergreen with leaves falling just before new leaves emerge.

Specimen shrub.  Thorniness makes it a good property edge hedge.

This species is listed as invasive in Australia. Foundation plantings, small speciment plants. Of year-round interest since it has both blooms and fruits nearly all year.

Red/orange fall color is excellent. Leaves have three separate shapes: ovoid, tri-lobed, or mitten-shaped (left or right). Mature trees tend to have fewer lobed leaves. Subject to laurel wilt disease.  Please be careful not to move firewood or dead wood around.  Best not planted in areas where laurel wilt is present. A relatively small tree that often forms thickets. Best used in informal settings.