Bishop's Balls Gomphocarpus physocarpa
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Asclepias physocarpa
- Phonetic Spelling
- gom-fo-KAR-pus fy-so-KAR-puh
- This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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Ballon Plant is a shrubby herbaceous perennial that is native to South Africa in the milkweed or dogbane (Apocynaceae) family. It is a tender perennial in zones 8-10 but can be grown as an annual elsewhere and can reach heights of 6 feet. The white flowers are not particularly showy and occur in drooping clusters. They are only pollinated by vespid wasps and hornets and more than 1 plant is required. The follicles are the most ornamental feature. They are soft inflated round yellowish-green seed pods that mature to release seeds with silky tufts in fall. As are all milkweeds, this plant is a host plant for the Monarch butterfly.
The name physocarpa comes from the Greek physa meaning bladder and karpos, fruit, refering to the rounded seed pods.
Plant in moderately moist well-drained sandy soil in full sun. It is deer, drought and heat tolerant once established. Use in the back of the garden, as a specimen or in containers. The stems and follicles are often used in floral arrangements. Use caution in handling this plant as the milky latex in the stem is an irritant to some people.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Monarch caterpillars may feed on the foliage, and aphids can sometimes be a problem.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Gomphocarpus
- Species:
- physocarpa
- Family:
- Apocynaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Southern Africa
- Wildlife Value:
- Host plant for Danaus butterflies, including the monarch butterfly. Flowers attract butterflies.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 4 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Habit/Form:
- Vase
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- Low
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Soil Texture:
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Occasionally Dry
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- Fruit Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Fruit Type:
- Follicle
- Fruit Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Fruit Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Fruit Description:
- Round greenish-yellow follicle up to 3 inches across covered with hair-like spines. Matures to tan and releases seeds with silky tufts.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Pink
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Cyme
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Irregular
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Pendulous clusters of small, waxy white with pink flowers with a faint vanilla scent are borne in leaf axils primarily in summer. Each flower is about ½ inch across, with five strongly reflexed petals.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Leaf Shape:
- Lanceolate
- Oblong
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- The leaves are light green, narrow oblong to lanceolate, 3 to 4 inches long and .4 inch wide.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- Green stems contain a milky latex
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Naturalized Area
- Landscape Theme:
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Specimen
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Pollinators
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Drought
- Heat
- Problems:
- Problem for Cats
- Problem for Dogs
- Problem for Horses
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Poisonous to Humans:
- Poison Severity:
- Low
- Poison Symptoms:
- Can cause stomach upset, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, weakness, lethargy, and confusion if eaten in quantity. Milky sap can cause contact dermatitis and eye irritation.
- Poison Toxic Principle:
- Cardiac glycoside
- Causes Contact Dermatitis:
- No
- Poison Part:
- Flowers
- Fruits
- Leaves
- Roots
- Sap/Juice
- Seeds
- Stems
