Family: Sapindaceae
Author: Sw.
Bibliography: Prodr. Veg. Ind. Occ.: 64 (1788)
Year: 1788
Status: accepted
Rank: species
Genus: Cardiospermum
Vegetable: Unknown
Observations: Trop. & Subtrop. America, Trop. & S. Africa
Description
Balloonvine, a plant scientifically known as Cardiospermum grandiflorum, is a climber that belongs to the family Sapindaceae. Originally described by Sw. in 1788 within the Prodr. Veg. Ind. Occ.: 64, it has since become a plant of interest due to its widespread presence and distinctive characteristics.
Native to the tropical and subtropical regions of America as well as tropical and southern Africa, Balloonvine thrives in warm climates where it can often be observed climbing on trees, fences, and other structures. Its vigorous growth habit and balloon-like seed pods make it easily recognizable and popular among plant enthusiasts and gardeners alike.
Cardiospermum grandiflorum can be identified by its delicate, fern-like leaves and small, white to pale-green flowers that develop into the plant’s signature inflated seed capsules. These capsules, which resemble small balloons, are not only visually striking but also contain seeds marked with a heart-shaped imprint, further enhancing the plant’s charm and adding to its common name.
Despite its attractive features, Balloonvine can be somewhat invasive in certain environments, particularly in regions where it is not native. Therefore, managing its growth is crucial to prevent it from overtaking other local flora.
Its presence across various continents underscores its adaptability and resilience, making Balloonvine a fascinating subject of study for botanists and horticulturists. Whether admired for its ornamental qualities or scrutinized for its invasive potential, Cardiospermum grandiflorum remains a notable and curious member of the plant kingdom.
Common Names
Deu: ballonrebe, großblütiger herzsame
Eng: balloon vine, wild supple jack, balloonvine, heartseed, heartseedvine, showy balloonvine
Spa: farolito trepador
Dan: storblomstret hjerteranke
Por: balãozinho, cipó-timbó-miudo
Afr: blaasklimop
En: Balloonvine, Heartseed, Heartseedvine, Showy balloonvine, Balloon vine, Wild supple jack, Californian Cypress, Showy Heartseed
Af: Blaasklimop
Ar: طفطف مخملي
Zh: 大花倒地鈴
Da: Storblomstret hjerteranke
Fi: Ilmapalloköynnös
De: Ballonrebe, Großblütiger Herzsame
Pt: Balãozinho, Cipó-timbó-miudo
Ru: Кардиоспермум крупноцветковый
Es: Farolito trepador
Zh-tw: 大花倒地鈴
Synonyms
- Cardiospermum pilosum (Vell.)
- Cardiospermum velutinum (Hook. & Arn.)
- Cardiospermum elegans (Kunth)
- Cardiospermum vesicarum (Humb.)
- Cardiospermum macrophyllum (Kunth)
- Cardiospermum coluteoides (Kunth)
- Cardiospermum duarteanum (Cambess.)
- Cardiospermum barbicaule (Baker)
- Cardiospermum grandiflorum f. elegans ((Kunth) Radlk.)
- Cardiospermum grandiflorum f. genuinum (Radlk.)
- Cardiospermum grandiflorum f. hirsutum ((Willd.) Radlk.)
- Cardiospermum hirsutum (Willd.)
- Cardiospermum hispidum (Kunth)
Distribution
- Angola (native)
- Argentina Northeast (native)
- Argentina Northwest (native)
- Belize (native)
- Benin (native)
- Bolivia (native)
- Botswana (native)
- Brazil North (native)
- Brazil Northeast (native)
- Brazil South (native)
- Brazil Southeast (native)
- Brazil West-Central (native)
- Cabinda (native)
- Cameroon (native)
- Cape Provinces (native)
- Central African Repu (native)
- Colombia (native)
- Congo (native)
- Costa Rica (native)
- Ecuador (native)
- El Salvador (native)
- Ghana (native)
- Guatemala (native)
- Guinea (native)
- Guyana (native)
- Honduras (native)
- Ivory Coast (native)
- Jamaica (native)
- Kenya (native)
- KwaZulu-Natal (native)
- Liberia (native)
- Malawi (native)
- Mexico Central (native)
- Mexico Gulf (native)
- Mexico Northeast (native)
- Mexico Southeast (native)
- Mexico Southwest (native)
- Namibia (native)
- Nicaragua (native)
- Nigeria (native)
- Northern Provinces (native)
- Panamá (native)
- Paraguay (native)
- Peru (native)
- Sierra Leone (native)
- Sudan (native)
- Swaziland (native)
- Tanzania (native)
- Togo (native)
- Uganda (native)
- Uruguay (native)
- Venezuela (native)
- Zambia (native)
- Zaïre (native)
- Zimbabwe (native)
- Algeria (introduced)
- Canary Is. (introduced)
- Cook Is. (introduced)
- Hawaii (introduced)
- Leeward Is. (introduced)
- Madeira (introduced)
- New South Wales (introduced)
- Puerto Rico (introduced)
- Queensland (introduced)
- South Australia (introduced)
- Sri Lanka (introduced)
- St.Helena (introduced)
Additional Images
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
Leaf
Taken Jun 19, 2021 by Trap Hers (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 23, 2022 by Trap Hers (cc-by-sa)
Taken Nov 2, 2022 by Trap Hers (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 19, 2021 by Trap Hers (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 16, 2020 by Rit Maesen (cc-by-sa)
Other
Taken Aug 21, 2015 by OTS – Oviedo-Brenes, Federico (cc-by-nc-sa)
Taken Aug 21, 2015 by OTS – Oviedo-Brenes, Federico (cc-by-nc-sa)
Taken Feb 15, 2004 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)
Taken Nov 15, 2012 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)
Taken Nov 2, 2022 by Trap Hers (cc-by-sa)
Bark
Taken May 3, 2022 by Renaud Brochiero (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 27, 2021 by Maarten Vanhove (cc-by-sa)
Taken Nov 2, 2022 by Trap Hers (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 18, 2022 by Kath Little (cc-by-sa)
Habit
Taken Nov 15, 2012 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)
Taken Oct 18, 2022 by Kath Little (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 25, 2021 by Trap Hers (cc-by-sa)
Taken Nov 2, 2022 by Trap Hers (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 23, 2022 by Trap Hers (cc-by-sa)
Fruit
Taken Aug 1, 2022 by Elke Kratzenberg (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 23, 2022 by Trap Hers (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 25, 2021 by Trap Hers (cc-by-sa)
Taken Dec 30, 2020 by mohamed sabri guediri (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 21, 2022 by Fabio Scardino (cc-by-sa)
Flower
Taken Dec 4, 2021 by Nigel Nigel Voaden (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 19, 2021 by Trap Hers (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 19, 2021 by Trap Hers (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 25, 2021 by Trap Hers (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 18, 2020 by Pere Valls (cc-by-sa)
Sources
- WFO (No URL)
- IPNI (No URL)
- GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/3189935)
- POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:782205-1)
- PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Cardiospermum grandiflorum Sw.)