Native to Argentina, Bolivia and Chile, it is widely naturalized in Australia, New Zealand, Europe, western Canada and the north western United States.

[3][6] It has been listed as a noxious weed in the US states of Kansas and Michigan under this misapplied name.

[6] Two varieties have been recognized:[1] Solanum physalifolium is an annual herbaceous plant growing from a taproot.

The flowers are arranged in small clusters and have white to pale blue petals, each 5–10 mm (0.2–0.4 in) wide with lobes that are angled outwards or backwards.

The sepals form a cup around the fruit, which is a yellowish globular berry about 6–7 mm (0.2–0.3 in) in diameter.