Common Name: Shoo Fly

General Information

Nicandra physalodes 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. It is sometimes grown as an ornamental in gardens.
Nicandra physalodes has escaped from cultivation and become a weed of crop lands throughout the world in temperate and tropical zones[].

Known Hazards

All parts of the plant are poisonous[], though they only cause low toxicity if ingested[]..

Botanical References

Range

S. America - Peru, Bolivia, northern and central Chile, northwest Argentina

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	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Nicandra physalodes is originally native to seasonally dry tropical regions of western S. America, though it has spread through cultivation and can now be found naturalized in many regions of the world from the temperate zone to the tropics.
Succeeds in ordinary garden soil[], but prefers a rich well-drained soil in a sunny position[].
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 plant, mixed with alcohol, is effective in treating cystitis[].

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[].

The leaves are used to treat cuts and wounds[].

The water contained between the calyx and the corolla, from the peduncle of the fruit or the leaves is used as an effective eye drop to treat eye problems such as conjunctivitis, irritations, redness and wounds[].

Agroforestry Uses:

Where the plant is growing well it is an indicator of good soils[]. Where it is abundant in such situations it is used as a green manure[].

Other Uses

The plant is thought to repel flies[].

The plant is used as a broom[].

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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