11
SEASONAL IDENTIFICATION
APPLE OF PERU (Nicandra physalodes)
LATE
SPRING
SUMMER
LATE
SUMMER
-
FALL
SUMMER
LATE
SUMMER
-
EARLY
FALL
FALL
Apple of Peru emerges later than most summer annuals.
The young leaf is difficult to identify. Note small lobes
beginning to develop.
Stems are smooth, hollow, and sturdy with distinct vertical
ribs. Branching occurs towards the middle to top of the
plant as it prepares to flower.
After flowering, the petals fall off the flowers and the bladder
closes. Note the lantern-shaped bladder has five folded
edges. After ripening, the bladder turns brown and opens to
reveal the seed-filled berry.
All leaves are longer than they are wide and shaped like an
arrowhead with rounded lobes. The leaf tip is elongated with
a rounded point.
Bluish-purple flowers emerge late in the season with five
petals, a white center, and five yellow pollen heads. Note the
distinct green bladder at the base of the flower.
After the plant produces fruit and dies, it can stay standing
into early winter and may still have papery bladders
attached. Note the large number of seeds per berry.
Dormant seeds can remain viable for up to 20 years.
