Nicandra physalodes
Black Apple of Peru

This Saturn herb is good for baneful magic, especially involving the symbol of the apple, whether that be in a spell repelling an unwanted lover or for inducing the opposite of wealth and abundance. This coincides with the folk use of this plant to get rid of pests, for which it is known as shoofly; in the American South, where it can become quite weedy, the sap of the plant was mixed with milk and left out for flies, who died after drinking it. Yet this plant itself is far less toxic than its baneful relatives, belladonna and henbane.  Although the picture of the pod shows only a splash of indigo, in this variety the whole pod (and of course the flower calyx) is indigo and quite wonderfully sinister. The flowers last only one day, but many are produced on each plant. The branches with pods can be dried for display. Top

Apple of Peru grows typically 38"/1m tall, but in warm areas, it can become 8ft/2.5m tall. It's a native of South America but has naturalized all over the world. The Sambaa people of Africa eat the leaves of this plant, but I don't know if they treat them in some way first, like boiling them in changes or water. In Brazil and Madagascar, the leaves of this plant are used in folk medicine, and in Tibet, the poisonous seeds are used medicinally. Birds eat the dry, green fruits, which contain huge amounts of seeds, and the leaves are eaten by the caterpillar form of all sorts of night-flying hawkmoths. I advise against eating any parts of this plant, but it is nice to grow even just for display. Top

How to Grow Apple of Peru
These annual seeds germinate in 7-14 days at room temperature. Transplant 12in/30cm apart to full sun up north and partial shade down south. It will grow anywhere but prefers rich, moist soil. To save the seeds, let the pods dry on the plant and break open to harvest. To prevent this plant seeding all over, deadhead the flowers, which will also cause further flowering. Although this plant can aggressively reseed, it doesn't like growing in the wild, preferring human company: "disturbed" areas. This plant, like daturas, can act as a vector for plant viruses that attack tomatoes, so don't plant it around them. General growing info Top

Uses in Witchcraft & Magick:

Baneful Work
Saturn Herb