Species

Gomphocarpus physocarpus

Common Name(s)

Swan plant, balloon cotton bush

Authority

Gomphocarpus physocarpus E.Mey.

Family

Apocynaceae (previously in Asclepiadaceae)

Brief Description

Similar to G. fruticosus, but having more inflated pods (almost globose or spherical, not 'swan shaped') with a shorter stalk.

Flora Category

Vascular - Exotic

Structural Class

Dicotyledonous Herbs other than Composites

Synonyms

Asclepias physocarpa

Flower Colours

White

Fruiting

Inflated, almost globose fruits

Propagation Technique

seed

Year Naturalised

1993 (NZJBot 33:156)

Origin

South Africa

Reason for Introduction

Ornamental and perhaps as food for larvae of Monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus)


Poisonous plant:
The tissues are full of a poisonous white milky latex making all parts of the plant toxic including the bladder-like fruits.





This page last updated on 4 Jan 2019