Nicandra physalodes - Flora of Qatar

Atropa daturifolia, Atropa physalodes, Atropa physaloides, Boberella nicandra, Calydermos erosus, Nicandra minor, Pentagonia physalodes, Physalis daturifolia, Physalodes peruviana

Common names

Extract from Wikipedia article

Nicandra is a monotypic genus of flowering plants in the nightshade family containing the single species Nicandra physalodes. It is known by the common names apple-of-Peru and shoo-fly plant. It is native to Peru, and it is known elsewhere as an introduced species and sometimes a weed. It is also kept as an ornamental plant.[+]

Plants grow to 1 metre tall and are vigorous with spreading branches and ovate, mid-green, toothed and waved leaves. The flowers are bell-shaped and 5 centimeters or more across, pale violet with white throats. The flower becomes lantern-like towards the end of its bloom. The plant is thought to have insect repellent properties.

The genus is named for Greek poet Nicander, who wrote about plants.

Flower buds of shoo-fly plant (Nicandra physalodes) in a shady spot on Al Furqan Street in Al Luqta area. Doha, Qatar, January 14, 2016

Al Furqan St, Doha, Qatar

Opened flower bud of shoo-fly plant (Nicandra physalodes) taken from a shady spot on Al Furqan Street in Al Luqta area. Doha, Qatar, January 14, 2016

Flower buds of shoo-fly plant (Nicandra physalodes) taken from a shady spot on Al Furqan Street in Al Luqta area. Doha, Qatar, January 14, 2016

Shoo-fly plant (Nicandra physalodes) in a shady spot on Al Furqan Street in Al Luqta area. Doha, Qatar, January 22, 2016

Al Furqan St, Doha, Qatar

Blooming shoo-fly plant (Nicandra physalodes) in a shady spot on Al Furqan Street in Al Luqta area. Doha, Qatar, January 22, 2016

Al Furqan St, Doha, Qatar

Blooming shoo-fly plant (Nicandra physalodes) with an opening flower in a shady spot on Al Furqan Street in Al Luqta area. Doha, Qatar, January 22, 2016

Al Furqan St, Doha, Qatar

Flower of shoo-fly plant (Nicandra physalodes) in a shady spot on Al Furqan Street in Al Luqta area. Doha, Qatar, January 22, 2016

Al Furqan St, Doha, Qatar

Blooming shoo-fly plant (Nicandra physalodes) with flower buds in a shady spot on Al Furqan Street in Al Luqta area. Doha, Qatar, January 22, 2016

Al Furqan St, Doha, Qatar

Opening flower of shoo-fly plant (Nicandra physalodes) in a shady spot on Al Furqan Street in Al Luqta area. Doha, Qatar, January 22, 2016

Al Furqan St, Doha, Qatar

Flower of shoo-fly plant (Nicandra physalodes) taken from a shady spot on Al Furqan Street in Al Luqta area. Doha, Qatar, January 22, 2016

Flower and green fruit of shoo-fly plant (Nicandra physalodes) taken from a shady spot on Al Furqan Street in Al Luqta area. Doha, Qatar, January 22, 2016