Nicandra
(named after Nicander, of Colophon, who lived about 150 A.D., and wrote on medicine and botany). SYN. Calydermos. ORD. Solanaceae. A monotypic genus, the species being an erect-branching, glabrous, hardy, annual herb. Propagated by seeds, sown in the open border. As soon as the seedlings are up, they must be planted separately: the plants, being large, require a good deal of space.
N. physaloides (Winter-cherry-like).* fl. blue, rather large, extra-axillary, solitary, drooping; calyx pentagonal, five-parted. inflated; stamens five. July to September. Berry fleshy, almost dry, three to five-celled, inclosed in the calyx. Leaves petiolate, membranous, deeply sinuate-dentate, or slightly lobed. h. 2ft. to 4ft. Peru, 1759. (B. M. 2458.)