Kitchen Garden Forum

I have been visiting a friend who has an allotment in Devon. He has this growing there..is it a weed? Note the spotted leaves.
Any help to identify it would be appreciated,
many thanks

It's the Shoo-Fly Plant or Apple of Peru (Nicandra physaloides). I wouldn't say it's a weed. Unless it's in the wrong place, in which case any plant in the wrong place is a weed.

Thank you Felix.
Its a lovely, unusual plant. I'll get my friend to save some seeds for me.

Hi Wygela and Felix. We had plants called "Marvel of Peru" a few years ago and they were lovely. I wonder if it's the same plant?
Cheers.

They are a pretty little plant, someone gave me some seeds a few years ago and I've kept saving and re-sowing every year. Don't forget they are rather poisonous though.

Elaine wrote:Hi Wygela and Felix. We had plants called "Marvel of Peru" a few years ago and they were lovely. I wonder if it's the same plant?

No, that's Mirabilis jalapa. Lovely multicoloured flowers — different coloured flowers on the same plant, uniquely.