PROFILBARU.COM

Gomphocarpus physocarpus
	Photo of balloonplant with capsules
	Detail photo of balloonplant capsules
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Clade:	Asterids
Order:	Gentianales
Family:	Apocynaceae
Genus:	Gomphocarpus
Species:	G. physocarpus
Binomial name
	Gomphocarpus physocarpus; E.Mey.
Synonyms
	Asclepias brasiliensis (E.Fourn.) Schltr.; Asclepias physocarpa (E.Mey.) Schltr.; Gomphocarpus brasiliensis E.Fourn.;

Gomphocarpus physocarpus, commonly known as hairy balls, balloonplant, balloon cotton-bush, bishop's balls, nailhead, or swan plant,^[2] is a species of plant in the family Apocynaceae, related to the milkweeds. The plant is native to southeast Africa, but it has been widely naturalized as it is often used as an ornamental plant.

Description

Gomphocarpus physocarpus is an undershrub perennial herb, that can grow to over six feet. The plant blooms in warm months. It grows on roadside banks, at elevations of 2800 to 5000 feet above sea level. The plant prefers moderate moisture, as well as sandy and well-drained soil and full sun.

Its propagation can be done by seeds or by cuttings. To propagate through seeds, sow the seeds in a light, well-drained substrate. To propagate by cuttings, cut a branch about 10 cm long and remove the leaves at the base. Plant the branch in a pot with light, well-draining substrate.^[3]

Gomphocarpus physocarpus is traditionally used to produce ointments for the treatment of warts and the seeds are used in rituals. The leaves and stems produce milky latex that is toxic, yet it has never been described in detail particularly with regards to the anatomy of lactiferous cells.^[4]

The flowers are small, with white hoods and about 1 cm across. The follicle is a pale green, and in shape an inflated spheroid. It is covered with rough hairs. It reaches three inches in diameter. The leaves are light green, linear to lanceolate and 3 to 4 inches long, 1.2 cm broad. The brown seeds have silky tufts.^[5]^[6]

This plant will readily hybridize with Gomphocarpus fruticosus creating intermediate forms.^[7]

Other names for the plant include in Africaans: balmelkbossie, balbossie, wilde kapok and in Zulu: umbababa, umbemiso, umangwazane, umqumnqwewe, uphuphuma, usingalwesalukazi, umsingalwesalukazi.^[8]

Ecology

The plant's stamens are fused to the head of the style and all the pollen of each stamen is within two pollinia. The pouch-like structure formed by the petals that surrounds the reproductive organs encourages pollinia to stick to the legs or proboscis of pollinating insects. As a result the pollen packets are carried from plant to plant. The species is self-incompatible, and these specialised structures support this reproduction.^[8]

Gomphocarpus physocarpus is a food of the caterpillars of Danaus butterflies, including the African monarch butterfly (Danaus chrysippus orientis). They store the unpleasant tasting and toxic cardenolides from the plants to deter predators. Distinctive colouration alerts predators before they attack.^[8]

References

^ "The Plant List: A Working List of All Plant Species".
^ Mahr, Susan. "Balloon Plant, Gomphocarpus physocarpus". Wisconsin Horticulture. University of Wisconsin-Madison. Retrieved 4 September 2023.
^ Maria, Mel (2023-10-06). "Planta balão: a beleza e a curiosidade de uma planta exótica" (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 2023-10-10.
^ Munsamy, A., & Naidoo, Y. (2017). Characterisation of the indumentum and the laticifers in the leaves and stems of Gomphocarpus physocarpus (Apocynaceae). South African Journal of Botany, 109, 356–357. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sajb.2017.01.134
^ Llamas, Kirsten Albrecht (2003). Tropical Flowering Plants: A Guide to Identification and Cultivation. Timber Press. p. 73. ISBN 0-88192-585-3.
^ Iremonger, Susan (2002). A Guide to the Plants of the Blue Mountains of Jamaica. The University of West Indies Press. p. 47. ISBN 976-640-031-8.
^ Gurib-Fakim, A. (2011). "Gomphocarpus fruticosus (L.) W.T.Aiton". In Schmelzer, G.H.; Gurib-Fakim, A. (eds.). Prota 11(2): Medicinal plants/Plantes médicinales 2. Wageningen, Netherlands: PROTA.
^ ^a ^b ^c Notten, Alice. "Gomphocarpus physocarpus E.Mey". South African National Biodiversity Institute. Retrieved 1 January 2025.