Cardiospermum halicacabum is a herbaceous climbing plant that can grow up to 3m with support. It reproduces by seeds. The stem is square with forked auxiliary tendrils that help the plant climb.
It is easily recognizable by its forked tendrils and light-green balloon-like fruits that turn brown when ripe.
Cardiospermum halicacabum Scientific Classification
- Domain: Eukaryota
- Kingdom: Plantae
- Phylum: Tracheophyta
- Subphylum: Angiospermae
- Class: Magnoliospida
- Order: Sapindales
- Family: Sapindaceae
- Genus: Cardiospermum
- Species: Cardiospermum halicacabum L.
- Varieties: Cardiospermum halicacabum var. Grandiflorum A. Chev., Cardiospermum halicacabum var. luridum Blume Adelb.
- Common Names: Balloon vine, Heart pea, Heart-seed, Smooth-leaved heart seed, Lesser balloon vine, Winter cherry, Love-in-a-puff, and Puffball.
Nativity and Distribution
Cardiospermum halicacabum is native to Mexico, South America, the Middle East, the Pacific, tropical areas in Africa, and tropical and temperate Asia. It’s also found in:
- Australia
- North America
Physical Characteristics
- Leaves: Thin compound leaves with lobed and serrated margins.
- Fruits: Inflated and papery light green fruits.
- Stems: Woody. It can grow up to 3m.
- Flowers: 1-inch tall small white flowers
- Roots: Tap root system
Cardiospermum halicacabum is an annual (and, in some areas, perennial) herbaceous climber plant that grows to a height of 1-5m with support. It is easily recognizable by its papery 3-sided light-green fruits that turn brown when ripe.
Stems are square in cross-section, with fine hairs on the surface, and green in colour. Formed from the highly branched stem, the forked axillary tendrils help the plant climb on structures, plants, shrubs, and trees.
The leaves are alternately arranged with leaf stalks (petioles) 0.5-1.5 to 3.5 cm long. At the base of the plant, the leaves are rounded in shape; higher up, the plant’s leaves are elongated with an acute apex. The leaf margins have both lobed and serrated margins and are fairly pubescent.
Leaf size varies from 2-4 x 1-2.5 cm.
Cardiospermum halicacabum is a monoecious plant with functionally unisexual flowers. Its 3-sided flower heads are 4 mm across and delicately arranged white petals with a golden yellow center.
Flowering varies with location. In North America, the plant flowers between July and August, while in Africa, it flowers from January to June.
The seeds are smooth and rounded (0.5 cm) and are encased in a 3-chambered parchment capsule. Each capsule typically holds three seeds. The seeds are black in color with a small white heart shape.
Reproduction, Dispersal, & Life Cycle
- Life Cycle: Perennial
- Seeds: Minimum of 3 seeds (depending on the number of fruits on a vine)
- Climate: Grows well in tropical areas that are hot and humid
- Dispersal: Wind and water
Cardiospermum halicacabum mostly behaves as a perennial weed. The plant produces 3 seeds per capsule and the total number varies based on the number of fruits on an individual vine. Seeds germinate on the soil surface or in shallow soil up to a depth of 12cm and their viability is typically 18 months.
The seeds are widely dispersed by wind while attached to the papery pod. It’s also particularly buoyant enabling the light capsule to travel large distances by water. Human-mediated dispersal is also possible through dumping of garden waste.
Uses
Despite its invasive nature, Cardiospermum halicacabum has a variety of beneficial uses:
- It attracts pollinators and is a host plant for tropical butterflies.
- It is used as an ornamental for its curious papery fruits.
- The plant is used to treat rheumatism, snake bites, diarrhea, dysentery, and pertussis.
- Juice from crushed leaves is used to alleviate skin problems like ringworms and acne.
- The shoots and leaves are eaten as vegetables or herbs and spices.
- Dried leaf powder is used to treat colds and nasal congestion.
- The root is used as a laxative and diuretic and in the treatment of bladder and urinary tract catarrh.
- It is used to treat bone fractures in Sri Lanka.
- It is used as an ingredient in shampoos, gels, and lotions.
- The stems are used to make baskets.
- The seeds are used to make beads.
- The plant foliage is used as animal feed.
Impact on Farms and Environment
C. halicacabum is a serious weed and is classified as a Category 1, priority, or noxious weed in South Africa, Australia, and the United States, respectively.
Due to its rapid growth and blanketing traits, it covers, drains resources, and chokes desirable plants and vegetation, severely impacting agriculture. It’s common on cassava, sugarcane, vanilla, and banana farms.
The weed covers the tops of trees, limiting light penetration and inhibiting photosynthesis. This impediment, coupled with the weight of the stems, ultimately leads to canopy collapse, negatively impacting forestry.
Since it is widely adapted, it threatens native vegetation in open grasslands, thickets, and riverbanks and can cause ecosystem alterations.
It is also a nuisance on roadsides, gardens, and paths.
Control
- Natural Methods: Hand pulling and burning
- Chemical Control: Paraquat, Glyphosate, Lactofen, Glufosinate-ammonium, Carfentrazone-ethyl, Sulfentrazone, and 2,4-D
For smaller infestations, hand-pulling and burning the foliage should stop the infestation. For larger infestations, cutting the plant stems and removing the roots will help protect the desirable plants and trees.
Chemical applications of systemic herbicides offer the best control for plants that can’t be removed by hand. Follow-up treatments are required to prevent regrowth.
However, caution should be observed where infestations are near waterways to prevent environmental contamination.
Lead Editor for Insight Weeds.