Common Name: Shoo Fly

General Information

Shoo fly is an erect, much-branched, annual plant growing up to 2 metres tall[].
The plant is occasionally harvested from the wild for local food and medicinal use.

Known Hazards

All parts of the plant are poisonous[].

Botanical References

Range

S. America - Peru.

Habitat

Naturalized in waste places and near dwellings in much of N. America[].

Properties

Weed Potential	Yes
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Annual
Height	1.50 m
Growth Rate	Fast
Pollinators	Bees, Insects
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Succeeds in ordinary garden soil[], but prefers a rich well-drained soil in a sunny position[].
This species has escaped from cultivation and become a weed of crop lands throughout the world in temperate and tropical zones[]. Plants are fast-growing[] and often self-sow freely[].
Plants withstand poor weather conditions well and do not usually require staking[].
Individual flowers only live for one day, but the plant produces a succession of flowers from summer to early autumn[].

Edible Uses

Fruit[]. No more details are given. The fruit is a berry about 15mm in diameter[]. Although related to, and looking similar to, Physalis species, the fruit of this plant is a dry berry containing mainly seed and, if it is not poisonous, it is certainly not worth eating[].

Young leaves - boiled[, ]. The tender leaves are chopped, washed and cooked alone or with other vegetables such as amaranth or cowpeas; coconut milk or pounded groundnuts are then added and the whole is served with a staple such as ugali or rice[]. Some caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity.

Medicinal

The plant is diuretic[]. There is no evidence to suggest that the plant is purgative, though an alkaloid with mydriatic action is present[].
The seeds are used in Tibetan medicine, they are said to have an acrid taste and a cooling, very poisonous potency[]. Analgesic, anthelmintic, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and febrifuge, regular use increases bodily vigour[]. They are used in the treatment of contagious disorders, toothache, intestinal pain from worms and impotence[]. A decoction of the seeds is used in the treatment of fevers[].

Other Uses

The plant is thought to repel flies[].

Propagation

Seed - sow in situ in late spring, preferably after the last expected frosts[]. Young seedlings can be transplanted. The seed can remain dormant for several decades[].

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