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Summary
Physical Characteristics
Cardiospermum halicacabum is a deciduous Climber growing to 3 m (9ft 10in).
It is hardy to zone (UK) 9 and is frost tender. It is in flower from July to August, and the seeds ripen from August to October. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs).
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.
UK Hardiness Map
US Hardiness Map
Synonyms
Cardiospermum acuminatum Miq. Cardiospermum corycodes Kunze. Cardiospermum glabrum Schumach. & Thonn
Habitats
Woodland Garden Dappled Shade; South Wall. By. West Wall. By.
Edible Uses
Edible Parts: Leaves
Edible Uses:
Leaves and young shoots - cooked[1, 105, 177, 272]. Used as a spinach[2]. Edible parts: Leaves, Seeds, Fruit, Stems [1d].
Medicinal Uses
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Diaphoretic Diuretic Emetic Emmenagogue Laxative Refrigerant Rubefacient Stomachic
The whole plant is diaphoretic, diuretic, emetic, emmenagogue, laxative, refrigerant, rubefacient, stomachic and sudorific[218]. It is used in the treatment of rheumatism, nervous diseases, stiffness of the limbs and snakebite[240, 243]. The leaves are rubefacient, they are applied as a poultice in the treatment of rheumatism[240, 243]. A tea made from them is used in the treatment of itchy skin[218]. Salted leaves are used as a poultice on swellings[218].The leaf juice has been used as a treatment for earache[240, 243]. The root is diaphoretic, diuretic, emmenagogue, laxative and rubefacient[240]. It is occasionally used in the treatment of rheumatism, lumbago and nervous diseases[240].
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Other Uses
Ornamental. Among the "Ten Sacred Flowers of Kerala State in India, collectively known as Dasapushpam.
Cultivation details
Prefers a moist soil and a sunny sheltered position[138], but succeeds in most soils[1]. A frost-tender deciduous climber, it is grown as an annual in Britain[188].
Temperature Converter
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Propagation
Seed - sow spring in a greenhouse. Germination usually takes place within 3 - 4 weeks at 20°c[138]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in a greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts.
Other Names
If available other names are mentioned here
Preferred Common Name: Balloonvine.
Spanish: Revienta caballo.
French: Pois de merveille.
Portuguese: balaozinho.
Cuba: farolito (var. halicacabum).
Germany: Ballonrebe; Blasenerbse; Herzsame.
Italy: Vesicaria del cuore.
Netherlands: Blaaserwt. Other names: Ambeang baek, Balloon Vine, Buddakakara, Buputwane, Chenet, Fugamane, Ikhambi-leziduli, Kanphuti, Kapal-phodi, Kapal-phor, Karnasphota, Karolio, Kesh lahara, Khok-kra-om, Kok ka awm, Lataphatkari, Likhambilemamba, Love-in-a-puff, Moodacottan, Msendechare, Mudakkathan, Mudakkatran, Mudukottan, Nella goolisienda, Paria gunong, Poniu, Pwepwete, Rudda kankarakoo, Sibjhul, Umubogobogo, Winter cherry,
Found In
Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available
Africa, Angola, Argentina, Asia, Australia, Bahamas, Bermuda, Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central Africa, Central America, China, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Côte d'Ivoire, Cuba, Cyprus, Dominica, East Africa, East Timor, Ecuador, Egypt, Equatorial-Guinea, Ethiopia, Fiji, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guiana, Guinea, Guinée, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Hawaii, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Iraq, Ivory Coast, Jamaica, Japan, Kenya, Laos, Lesotho, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Mediterranean, Mexico, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, New Caledonia, Nigeria, North Africa, North America, Oman, Pacific, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, PNG, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Puerto Rico, Rwanda, Samoa, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, SE Asia, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Africa, Southern Africa, South America, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Taiwan, Tanzania, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tonga, Uganda, USA, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Vietnam, West Africa, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe,
Weed Potential
Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section.
Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.
This plant can be weedy or invasive. Noxious Weed Information in the US: Alabama -
Class C noxious weed.
Arkansas -
Noxious weed.
South Carolina -
Plant pest.
Texas -
Noxious plant. In New Zealand it is listed on the National Pest Plant Accord. Often found as a weed along roads and rivers.
Conservation Status
IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status : This taxon has not yet been assessed.
Expert comment
Author
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Botanical References
4350200
Links / References
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