Apple-of-Peru
Apple-of-Peru, bird-sown, Dorset
Newly open flower
5 anthers and a bilobed stigma
Side view of calyx (sepals)
Leaves
Flower buds
Nicandra physalodes
Solanaceae
Shoo-fly
June to October
It is thinly scattered throughout most of the country and
decreases towards the North.
See the BSBI distribution map for Apple-of-Peru
It is a neophyte which was introduced from South America
in the late 1750s and has been known in the wild since the
1860s.
It grows on waste ground, rubbish tips, gardens and
allotments.
In the South it can overwinter and has become established.
In gardens it may be a bird-sown or from commercial, bird
seed.
Apple-of-Peru is a striking, large, annual herb, growing
up to 1m.
The flowers are deep, violet-blue, trumpet-shaped and
up to 4cm.
The petals have white bases with splashes of blue.
There are 5 white, striped anthers and there is a single,
club-shaped stigma.
The calyx is bell-shaped, with green and purple sepals.
Fruits are brown berries wrapped in a papery case.
Leaves are bright green and toothed.
The plant is poisonous and is thought to have insecticidal
properties.
It is classed as an invasive alien in the USA.
Previous page: Amphibious Bistort
Next page: Argentine Fleabane
Apple-of-Peru, bird-sown, Dorset
Newly open flower
5 anthers and a bilobed stigma
Side view of calyx (sepals)
Leaves
Flower buds
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