Chocolate Bells

physaloides: resembling a Physalis

Perennial herb with several to many erect, ± glabrous, stems growing from a rootstock, dying back each winter. Leaves variable from linear-elliptic to broadly ovate. Inflorescence composed of 2-9 cymose primary branches, without bracts. Sepals lanceolate to ovate, enlarging in fruit. Corolla 15-22 mm, white (also said to be cream or pink-tinged). Fruit a single discoid tomentose nutlet.

Frequent

Sudan and Ethiopia south to South Africa