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Quincula lobata

Species category

Weed

Common name

Chinese lantern, purple groundcherry, purpleflower groundcherry

Diagnostic characters

Planting unit

True seedTrue seed:
A mature fertilized ovule consisting of an embryo, with or without and external food reserve (e.g., endosperm) enclosed by the testa.

Shape

LenticularLenticular:
Lens-shaped, circular in outline with convex sides.
 and lumpy

Size

  • Length 2.8–3 mm 
  • Width 2.2–2.5 mm 
  • Thickness 0.3–0.5 mm 

Color

Yellow to reddish

Texture

Surface is deeply pitted like honeycomb. Margin opposite hilumHilum:
The scar on the seed coat at the place of its detachment from the seed stalk (funiculus).
 is lumpy.

Other structures

HilumHilum:
The scar on the seed coat at the place of its detachment from the seed stalk (funiculus).
 is a slit on margin. Margin opposite hilumHilum:
The scar on the seed coat at the place of its detachment from the seed stalk (funiculus).
 has lumps that are rounded laterally.

Identification notes

Seed has a honeycomb surface. Margin very deeply indented but rounded laterally; hilumHilum:
The scar on the seed coat at the place of its detachment from the seed stalk (funiculus).
 is on the margin but is a closed slit.

Noxious weed seed categories

State Noxious Weed: Colorado 

AOSA examination list

Not included

Nomenclature

Family

Solanaceae

Valid name

Quincula lobata (Torr.) Raf.

Synonyms

Physalis lobata Torr.
Physalis lobata Torr. var. albiflora Waterf.

From Left to Right: 1. Quincula lobata 2 . Solanum rostratum.  True seeds with a honeycomb surface, and the margin is very deeply indented but rounded laterally.  
From Left to Right: 1. Quincula lobata 2. Solanum rostratum. True seeds with a honeycomb surface, and the margin is very deeply indented but rounded laterally.  
Quincula lobata. Lenticular and lumpy true seeds.
Quincula lobata. Lenticular and lumpy true seeds.