Scientific Name
Nicandra physalodes
Common Name
Apple-of-Peru, shoofly plant

CAUSES ONLY LOW TOXICITY IF EATEN.

Characteristics

Family
Solanaceae
Plant Description
Large, annual herb; leaves alternate, simple, irregularly toothed on the margin; flowers axillary, nodding, short bell-shaped, pale blue; fruit a dry berry enclosed by an enlarged, papery calyx.
Origin
Peru
Distribution
Mountains, Piedmont.
Where Found
Weedy in disturbed areas, cultivated and escaped; landscape in gardens as annual herbaceous ornamental.
Mode
Ingestion.
Poisonous Part
All parts?
Symptoms
Unknown, but caution because of its close relationship with known toxic plants.
Toxic Principle
Unknown.
Severity
CAUSES ONLY LOW TOXICITY IF EATEN.

"Poisonous Plants of North Carolina," Dr. Alice B. Russell, Department of Horticultural Science; Dr. James W. Hardin, Botany; Dr. Larry Grand, Plant Pathology; and Dr. Angela Fraser, Family and Consumer Sciences; North Carolina State University. All Pictures Copyright @1997Alice B. Russell, James W. Hardin, Larry Grand. Computer programming, Miguel A. Buendia; graphics, Brad Capel.

Disclaimer: The list of poisonous plants on this web site does not necessarily include every poisonous plant that is known, or that might be found in an urban landscape or home. North Carolina State University does not advise eating any of the plants included in this web site. The information concerning edibility is taken from the literature, and the degree of reliability is unknown. We discourage the use of any of these plants for self medication. In cases of accidental exposure or ingestion, contact the Poison Control Center 1-800-222-1222.

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