Apple-of-Peru Nicandra physalodes
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- nih-KAN-drah fy-sal-OH-deez
- This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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This is an annual summer-blooming plant from Peru in the night-shade family that grows 2-5 foot high with blue flowers. Individual flowers only live for one day, but the plant produces a succession of flowers from summer to early autumn. It has escaped cultivation and naturalized in large areas of the US. It prefers disturbed areas and usually doesn't persist in the wild.
In the southern states, the juices from the foliage and roots of this plant were mixed with milk in a dish, which was set out to attract flies. When the flies fed from this concoction, they died. This is the source of the common name, Shoofly Plant.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Nicandra
- Species:
- physalodes
- Family:
- Solanaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Annual
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Peru to North Western Argentina
- Wildlife Value:
- The nectar and pollen of the flowers attract various kinds of bees. Like other members of the Nightshade family, the foliage is toxic to mammalian herbivores and not often consumed.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Annual
- Poisonous
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Medium
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Soil Texture:
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Available Space To Plant:
- Less than 12 inches
- NC Region:
- Mountains
- Piedmont
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Fruit:
- Fruit Type:
- Berry
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- The fruit is about ½" across and divided into 3-5 cells. It has a dry texture and is enclosed by an enlarged, papery calyx.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Blue
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Head
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Bell
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- Flowers axillary, nodding, short bell-shaped, pale blue with a white center.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Cordate
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Dentate
- Lobed
- Undulate
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- The alternate leaves are up to 8" long and 4" across (excluding the petioles). They are ovate-cordate and sparsely pubescent.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Patio
- Pond
- Landscape Theme:
- Cottage Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Water Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Small groups
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Pollinators
- Problems:
- Poisonous to Humans
- Weedy
