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Bishop's Balls Gomphocarpus physocarpa

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

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:
Tags:
#drought tolerant#showy fruits#fast growing#deer resistant#butterfly friendly#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for horses#butterfly garden
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#drought tolerant#showy fruits#fast growing#deer resistant#butterfly friendly#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for horses#butterfly garden
  • 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.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Habit/Form:
    Vase
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Maintenance:
    Low
  • 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
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Description:
    Green stems contain a milky latex
  • 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
  • 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