This perennial is widespread in eastern and central North America. Variation needs further assessment; see notes under var. ambigua. Also, hybrids with virginiana may be expected (Sullivan 2004); note that 2n = 24 in virtually all Physalis species of eastern North America (Cr). In some early literature from Ky. (M), heterophylla was apparently referred to as P. viscosa L., a name that probably should not apply to any Physalis in eastern North America (W).