[Nicandra Adans. Fam. Pl. 2: 219. 1763.] An annual erect branching glabrous herb, with alternate petioled thin sinuate-dentate or lobed leaves, and large light blue peduncled nodding flowers, solitary in the axils. Calyx 5-parted, 5-angled, much inflated in fruit, its segments ovate, connivent, cordate or sagittate at the base, strongly reticulated. Corolla broadly campanulate, plicate in the bud, slightly 5-lobed. Stamens 5, included, inserted on the corolla near its base; filaments filiform, dilated and pilose below; anthers oblong, the sacs longitudinally dehiscent. Ovary 3-5-celled; style slender; stigma 3-5-lobed. Berry globose, nearly dry, enclosed in the calyx. [Greek, Physalislike.1

A monotypic Peruvian genus.

1. Physalodes Physalodes (L.) Britton. Apple-Of-Peru

Fig. 3695

Atropa physalodes L. Sp. Pl. 181. 1753. Physalodes peruvianum Kuntze, Rev. Gen. Pl. 452.

1801. P. physalodes Britton, Mem. Torr. Club 5: 287. 1894.

Stem angled, 2°-5° high. Leaves ovate or oblong, acuminate but blunt-pointed, narrowed at the base, 3'-8' long, 1'-4' wide; petioles longer than the peduncles; flowers 1'-1 1/2' long and broad; corolla-limb almost entire; fruiting calyx 1'-1 1/2' long and thick, its segments acute at the apex, their basal auricles acute or cuspidate; berry about i' in diameter, loosely surrounded by the calyx.

In waste places, escaped from gardens, Nova Scotia to Ontario, Florida, Tennessee and Missouri. Adventive from Peru. Plant with the aspect of a large Physalis. Leaves similar to those of Stramonium. July-Sept.