Heart Seed, Balloon vine
Cardiospermum halicacabum

Family: Sapindaceae

What it is like

Cardiospermum halicacabum is a deciduous Climber growing to 3 m (9ft 10in). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 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: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.

Height (m): 3

Where it is found

Moist thickets and waste ground in Eastern N. America.

E. Asia - India. N. America. Africa. Locally naturalized in S. Europe.

Conservation Status: This taxon has not yet been assessed.

Countries/locations it is found in

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, 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,

How it is used

Food

Rating: 1

Leaves and young shoots - cooked. Used as a spinach. Edible parts: Leaves, Seeds, Fruit, Stems.

Medicine

Rating: 2

The whole plant is diaphoretic, diuretic, emetic, emmenagogue, laxative, refrigerant, rubefacient, stomachic and sudorific. It is used in the treatment of rheumatism, nervous diseases, stiffness of the limbs and snakebite. The leaves are rubefacient, they are applied as a poultice in the treatment of rheumatism. A tea made from them is used in the treatment of itchy skin. Salted leaves are used as a poultice on swellings.The leaf juice has been used as a treatment for earache. The root is diaphoretic, diuretic, emmenagogue, laxative and rubefacient. It is occasionally used in the treatment of rheumatism, lumbago and nervous diseases.

Diaphoretic: Induces perspiration.

Diuretic: Acts on the kidneys, promoting the flow of urine.

Emetic: Induces vomiting.

Emmenagogue: Promotes or increases the menstrual flow. In early stages of pregnancy it can induce an abortion.

Laxative: Stimulates bowel movements in a fairly gentle manner.

Refrigerant: Cools the body.

Rubefacient: A counter-irritant and external stimulant, it produces inflammation and redness of the skin.

Stomachic: Aids and improves the action of the stomach.

Other

Rating: 1

Ornamental. Among the "Ten Sacred Flowers of Kerala State in India, collectively known as Dasapushpam.

How it is grown

Prefers a moist soil and a sunny sheltered position, but succeeds in most soils. A frost-tender deciduous climber, it is grown as an annual in Britain.

Propagating it: Seed - sow spring in a greenhouse. Germination usually takes place within 3 - 4 weeks at 20°c. 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.

Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Dappled Shade; South Wall. By. West Wall. By.

Habit: Climber

Hardiness: 8-11

Growth:

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: No shade

Moisture: Moist

Things to keep in mind

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.

Its other names

Local names

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,

Synonyms

Cardiospermum acuminatum Miq. Cardiospermum corycodes Kunze. Cardiospermum glabrum Schumach. & Thonn