24. Quincula Rafinesque, Atlantic J. 1: 145. 1832.
Purple ground-cherry [Latin quinc-, five, and -ula, diminutive, alluding to opaque spots on corolla as compared to dark spots in Physalis]
Janet R. Sullivan
Herbs, perennial, rhizomatous, sparsely to densely covered with stalked white vesicles. Stems erect, weakly decumbent, or prostrate, branched from base and at most nodes. Leaves alternate; blade margins entire or sinuate to deeply pinnately incised. Inflorescences axillary, usually 2–4-flowered clusters, sometimes solitary flowers. Flowers 5-merous; calyx accrescent, campanulate, lobes 5, broadly triangular, completely and loosely enclosing berry; corolla usually purple, rarely white, radial, rotate, lobes relatively short; stamens inserted near base of corolla tube, equal; anthers basifixed, narrowly elliptic, dehiscing by longitudinal slits; ovary 2-carpellate; style slender, slightly curved to 1 side; stigma capitate. Fruits berries, globose, dry. Seeds angular. x = 11.
Species 1: sw, sc United States, n Mexico.
Quincula can be distinguished from other North American physaloid genera (Calliphysalis, Chamaesaracha, Leucophysalis, Oryctes, Physalis) by its purple, rarely white, corollas with five opaque spots, and stalked white vesicles scattered on the stems, foliage, and calyces.
