Nicandra physalodes
Apple of peru, shoo-fly plant, Shoo-Fly Plant
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Family: Solanaceae · Type: Herb · Not Native
Nicandra physalodes (Apple of peru) is a non-native California herb in the Solanaceae family, recognized by South American genus occasionally appearing as garden escape - represents tropical nightshade lineage rarely established in California.
Apple of peru is a naturalized annual found in southern California coastal areas in fields and disturbed sites at elevations below 200 meters. Flowering from April to December, this plant produces pale blue to lavender flowers with white throats up to 30 millimeters long. Growing up to 2 meters tall with strongly 5-ribbed hollow stems that are often much-branched, it develops an expansive, spreading form. Its large leaves measure 8 to 30 centimeters long, with ovate blades that are distinctively toothed or lobed and decurrent on the petiole. The distinctive fruit is enclosed in an enlarged, urn-shaped calyx with deeply cordate lobes, creating a unique protective capsule around numerous small brown seeds.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: South American genus occasionally appearing as garden escape - represents tropical nightshade lineage rarely established in California
Habitat and range
Habitat: Fields, disturbed sites, escape from cultivation
Elevation: < 200 m
Outside California: to eastern North America, native to South America, introduced +- worldwide
Bloom period
Nicandra physalodes blooms Apr-Dec.
How to tell it apart
vs Solanum: Nicandra has winged calyx lobes longer than the tube; Solanum has regular sepals and prominent yellow anther cone.; vs Datura: Nicandra has winged calyx lobes; Datura has large trumpet flowers and spiny capsules.; vs Nicotiana: Nicandra has winged calyx lobes longer than tube; Nicotiana has flowers in branching clusters with short sepals.; vs Petunia: Nicandra has distinctive winged calyx lobes; Petunia has sticky glandular hairs throughout and solitary flowers.; vs Oryctes: Nicandra has wing-like projections at calyx base; Oryctes has narrow urn-shaped flowers and flat-winged seeds.
Frequently asked questions
Is Nicandra physalodes native to California?
No. Nicandra physalodes is not native to California (recorded as not native).
When does Nicandra physalodes bloom?
Nicandra physalodes blooms Apr-Dec.
What plant family does Nicandra physalodes belong to?
Nicandra physalodes is in the Solanaceae family, genus Nicandra.
What habitat does Nicandra physalodes grow in?
Nicandra physalodes grows in Fields, disturbed sites, escape from cultivation.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.