Balloon vine, Leaved heart pea
Cardiospermum microcarpum

Family: Sapindaceae

What it is like

A climber. It grows 1-3 m tall. It grows each year from seeds. The stem is slender and with a strong furrow. Young parts are hairy. The leaves are alternate and leaflets arranged in 2 groups of three. The leaf stalks are 5-8 cm long. The flowers are small and white. They are on long slender stalks. The fruit is an inflated capsule with 3 chambers.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. In Argentina it grows from sea level to 1,500 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Argentina, Asia, Botswana, Brazil, Dominican Republic, India, Paraguay, South America, Sri Lanka, Uruguay, West Indies

How it is used for food

The leaves are eaten as a green vegetable. An extract of the whole plant is added to porridge.

Edible parts

Leaves

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Kottavan, Penela, Wel-penela

Synonyms

Cardiospermum halicacabum var. microcarpum (Kunth) Blume; Cardiospermum microspermum E. Mey.;