Scientific name: Nicandra physalodes (L.) Gaertn.

Synonym: Atropa physalodes L.

Common name: Apple of Peru

Family: Solanaceae

Origin:

Native of South America.

Habit:

Annual herb with erect, branching stems, grows up to 4 m in height, although usual height is about 2 m.

Habitat:

Introduced as an ornamental garden plant. This species has become naturalised on disturbed ground in areas where rainfall is plentiful.

General description:

Stems and leaves

Stems are erect, branched, hollow and light brownish green. Leaf blades are oval with a point at the tip, 3-20 × 1-20 cm with petioles (leaf stalks) 0.5-9 cm long and margins that are wavy with irregular shallow teeth. Leaves can be hairless or have sparse soft hairs on the upper surface.

Flowers and fruit

Flowers are attractive blue/mauve bells with whitish throats, 1.2-3 cm long with leafy green 0.7-2.2 cm long sepals. Flowering occurs mainly over summer, early autumn. The fruits are yellow berries, 1-2.2 cm in diameter enclosed by persistent sepals which become enlarged and papery as the fruit develops.

Distinguishing characteristics:

Erect annual shrub with soft, hollow erect branches usually growing to 2 m tall. The flowers are showy blue-mauve bells 1.2-3 cm long enclosed by a distinctive leafy arrowhead-shaped sepals 0.5-2.5 cm long. The sepals remain on the developing fruit becoming enlarged, papery and conspicuously veined, enclosing a 1-2.2 cm yellow berry.

Noxious status:

Not noxious.

Sources:

Kleinschmidt, H.E., Holland, A. and Simpson, P. (1996). Suburban Weeds. 3rd Edition. Department of Primary Industries, Brisbane.

Stanley, T.E. and Ross, E.M. (1983-1989). Flora of South-eastern Queensland. Volume 2. Department of Primary Industries, Brisbane.

Auld, B.A. and Medd, R.W. (1996). Weeds: An Illustrated Botanical Guide to Weeds of Australia. Inkata Press, Sydney.