Apple of Peru
Nicandra physalodes

Family: Solanaceae

What it is like

An annual herb. It branches freely. It is a large plant supported on stout stems. It can grow 50 cm to 4 m high. It is larger in warmer places. The stems are fluted or ribbed. They are pale green. They are hollow and become woody in older plants. The leaves are thin and flat. They are oval with wavy or toothed edges. The flowers are bell-shaped and lilac-blue. They are 2.5 cm across. These form papery pods. Inside there is a berry with seeds. The berry is 1-2 cm across. The seeds are 1-2 mm long.

There is only one Nicandra species. It is native to South America.

Where it is found

It grows in warm temperate and subtropical regions. It needs full sun and a rich, well-drained soil. In southern China it grows between 800-2,600 m above sea level. In Argentina it grows from sea level to 2,500 m above sea level. It suits hardiness zones 8-11. In Sichuan and Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Angola, Argentina (country/location of origin), Asia, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bermuda, Bolivia (country/location of origin), Botswana, Brazil, Britain, Bulgaria, Burundi, Canary Is., Caucasus, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Congo DR, Costa Rica, Czech Republic, Djibouti, East Africa, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, France, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Haiti, Hawaii, Himalayas, Honduras, Hungary, India, Iran, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Korea, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mexico, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norfolk Island, North America, Northeastern India, Oman, Pacific, Palestine, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Poland, Reunion, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, SE Asia, Slovenia, Socotra, Somalia, South Africa, Southern Africa, South America, Spain, Sri Lanka, St Helena, Swaziland, Switzerland, Syria, Taiwan, Tanzania, Tasmania, Tibet, Turkmenistan, USA, Uzbekistan, Venezuela, West Indies, Xinjiang, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The leaves are boiled and eaten with maize meal. The seeds are used for making a cooling drink. The ripe fruit are eaten raw.

Leaves are sold in local markets. They are popular.

Edible parts

Fruit, leaves, seeds, vegetable

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seed.

Leaves are collected during the rainy season. In southern India plants flower and fruit October to February.

Its other names

Local names

Anpo, Bitterappelliefie, Canutillo, Dzibobo, Isamgol, Kamoni, Kibwawa, Linyaka, Linyoko, Linyuko, Mnavu zinge, Neelipuddae gida, Nysongwe, Ommathan, Osuga, Peet, Ran-popati, Shoo-fly, Sodakku thakkali, Tacalito, Tacallo, Tacalito, Tonga tonga, Tshirunngudane, Uvilla del monte, Zinge

Synonyms

Atropa daturifolia Thore; Atropa physalodes L.; Boberella nicandra E. H. L. Krause; Calydermos erosus Ruiz & Pav.; Nicandra minor Hort. ex Fisch.; Physalis daturaefolia Lam.; Physalodes peruviana Kuntze;