Arlene Wright-Correll

Shoo Fly Don’t Bother Me©



Posted: Saturday, September 06, 2008

by
http://www.learn-america.com

If you live in Illinois you may well be saying those words. The Shoo-Fly plant is of the nightshade family and its Latin name is Nicandra physalodes.

This annual is sometimes called The Apple of Peru. Why? I don't know as it sure does not look like an apple. Apparently in its native habitat of Peru its spherical fruit is edible, resembling a tomatillo.

This plant is a native of South America and was introduced to the United States as ornamental gardening plant.

In the old days this plant was grown to deter insects and I guess that is where it got its name. They used to mix the plant with milk and when the flies drank it they dropped dead.

It loves full sun, grows up to three feet in height, likes about twelve to fifth teen inches of space between each plant and has a beautiful blue-purple flower that blooms in the late summer and early fall. It has dark green leaves that resemble the same shape of the oak leaf.

This is truly an invasive plant so you will need to dead head it in order to keep it from dropping its seeds and heading all over your garden.

This is a plant that needs a lot of watering if you are going to enjoy its blooms and it is also a plant that should not be planted in your garden if you have young children since all parts of this plant are poisonous.

You can sow this plants seeds indoor about 6 weeks before your last frost or sow right into the ground after your last frost. The plants will transplant well. However, it does not do well in the wind.

This plant has gone crazy in the state of Illinois except in the NW part of the state.

You can collect the seeds from this plant by allowing the pods to dry on the vine and then catching them before they drop and that can be done by putting small mesh bags or cheese cloth around the pods so the seeds drop into the bags.

The flowers are lovely and the husk shape fruit that looks like a light green Chinese paper lantern will add some interest to your garden providing you dead-head the seed pods and do not allow them to take over your garden.

"Tread the Earth Lightly" and in the meantime May your day be filled with

Peace, Light and Love,

Author's note: This article was originally written for GreenThumbArticles.com



About the Author & Artist. Arlene Wright-Correll (1935- ___), popular American award winning Artist, published author, columnist, & is the resident art instructor for Avalon Stained Glass School, at the age of 68, decided to pick up her paint brushes again after 54 years and paint.  She is a cancer and stroke survivor who is able to strive forward each and everyday to welcome the beauty of this small planet.  She also is a China & Porcelain painter, Sandblasting & Etching, Stained Glass & fused glass Artisan. She is one of the six KY Artists who worked 6 months to create the dolls for Journey Jots in 2006 and a Smithsonian Institute art exhibit in 2008. Her published books can be found here . She is also a featured writer for GreenThumbArticles.com and teaches Art Vacation Holidays at Avalon Stained Glass School and Creativity Center.

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