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.

Distribution

sw, sc United States, n Mexico.

Discussion

Species 1.

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.

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

Quincula lobata