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''Gomphocarpus physocarpus'', commonly known as hairy balls, balloonplant, balloon cotton-bush, bishop's balls, nailhead, or swan plant, is a species of
''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.
''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.
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.
This plant will readily hybridize with ''
''Asclepias physocarpa''
photos
USDA Plants Profile
{{Taxonbar, from=Q311186 physocarpus Butterfly food plants Flora of Africa Garden plants of Africa
dogbane
Dogbane, dog-bane, dog's bane, and other variations, some of them regional and some transient, are names for certain plants that are reputed to kill or repel dogs; "bane" originally meant "slayer", and was later applied to plants to indicate tha ...
. The plant is native to southeast Africa, but it has been widely naturalized. 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.
''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.
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.
This plant will readily hybridize with ''Gomphocarpus fruticosus
''Gomphocarpus fruticosus'' is a species of plant native to South Africa. It is also common in New Zealand where it is the main host of the monarch butterfly. The plant's tissues contain sufficient cardenolides that consumption of significant qu ...
'' creating intermediate forms.
Ecology
''Gomphocarpus physocarpus'' is a food of the caterpillars of '' Danaus'' butterflies, including the monarch butterfly.References
External links
''Asclepias physocarpa''
photos
USDA Plants Profile
{{Taxonbar, from=Q311186 physocarpus Butterfly food plants Flora of Africa Garden plants of Africa