Nicandra physalodes, Shoo-fly Plant, Apple-of-Peru

Common Name: Apple-of-Peru, Shoo-fly Plant

Nicandra physalodes, more commonly known as Apple-of-Peru or the Shoo-fly Plant, is a large plant which can reach 1.25m in height and 1m across. It has bell-shaped flowers that are most commonly pale blue and white, but there are also forms with violet flowers and with white flowers. The flowers are short-lived, opening for only a few hours each day.

It produces cherry-like, green-brown berries which are encased within green or black-mottled calyces rather like Chinese lanterns. It has toothed, ovate green leaves to 10 cm long and rather thin in texture. Usually found as a garden escape or bird seed alien and often close to habitation or in rubbish dumps.

It is an annual, its flowers appearing from June to October; widespread but occasional in the UK.

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