Botanical name : |
Cardiospermum grandiflorum |
Family : |
Sapindaceae (soapberry) family |
Common name : |
Balloon vine |
Also known as : |
Cardiospermum halicacabum, heart seed vine |
Where is it originally
from? : |
North and Central America, West Indies and Africa |
What does it look like? : |
Perennial climber with yellow hairs on a ribbed stem, and compound leaves of 9 thin, coarsely toothed, light green, hairy leaflets (2.5-10 cm long) arranged in groups of 3. Clusters of white to pale yellow flowers with 4 petals (7-9mm long) are produced from summer to winter, with tendrils growing from the base of the flower stalk. Balloon-like fruit has 3 thin, papery walls (4-8cm long), ripens from green to straw coloured in autumn and contains 3 black seeds (7mm wide). |
Are there any similar
species? : |
Small balloon vine (Cardiospermum halicacabum) is very similar, but smaller and not hairy.
Clematis and old man’s beard (Clematis species) have leaves composed of 3 leaflets, and white flowers with four petals, but seeds have a fluffy ''parachute'' of hairs attached rather than a capsule.
|
Why is it weedy? : |
Grows vigorously, climbing up to 10 m high or spreading along the ground, blanketing all vegetation. |
How does it spread? : |
Seed capsules are spread by wind and water, and spreads also by suckering and root fragments. |
What damage does it do? : |
Grows rapidly into the tops of trees, excluding light and forming a thick curtain of stems; the weight of the vines can contribute to canopy collapse and ecosystem destruction. |
Which habitats is
it likely to invade? : |
Moist areas along river edges, forest margins and road edges in warmer areas. Tolerates flooding and part shade, but prefers full sun and well-drained soil. Seedlings germinate on disturbed land. |
What can I do to get
rid of it? : |
Contact your regional council to determine the status of this species and responsibility for control and/or advice on control.
1. Hand pull plants and seedlings (all year round).
2. Cut and paint stump (spring-summer): glyphosate (333ml/L).
3. Cut stems at waist height (dense infestations), leaving foliage up supporting vegetation in place to rot away. Leave the stems to resprout then spray the foliage with glyphosate (10ml/L).
|
What can I do to
stop it coming back? : |
Remove the seed source (the original parent plant). Monitor the site and pull out or spray seedlings and regrowth. Seed viability is relatively short (approximately 18 months). |
