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The Violet-stemmed apple of Peru (Nicandra physalodes cv. Violacea) belongs to Solanaceae (the Nightshade family). It is an annual herb that is a horticultural variety of "Apple of Peru", native to South America, ranging from Peru to Chile. It was developed in 1906 by the French breeder Henri Lemoine. It grows to a height of 60 to 80 cm. While its overall appearance and flower form closely resemble those of "Apple of Peru", it can be distinguished by the small, black, spine-like projections visible on the surface of its leaves. From around July to September, it produces flowers in the leaf axils that are a somewhat deep bluish-purple color and about 25 mm in diameter. Another characteristic is that the stems, sepals, and the base of the corolla have a blackish-purple tint. The fruit is a spherical berry 10-15 mm in diameter, enclosed in a pouch-like calyx similar to that of the "Winter cherry", with the upper part of the calyx turning blue-black. The fruit contains tropane alkaloids and is poisonous.
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