Heart seed, Heart pea
Cardiospermum halicacabum

Family: Sapindaceae

What it is like

A straggling vine or climber. It can be an annual or perennial. It has a woody base and tendrils. It grows 3-5 m long. The stems are angular and very hairy. The leaves are 15-20 cm long. The leaves have 3 leaflets. The leaflets have 3 lobes which are oval and have coarse teeth. They are light green, thin and hairy. The leaflets are 0.5-2 cm wide. The flowers have 4 white petals. The flowers are borne in groups of 3 or 4. The flowers are 7 cm long. The flowers have a delicate scent. The fruit is a 3 cornered, balloon-like capsule with 6 prominent ribs. They are pale green and become papery when ripe. They are 2-3 cm long. They split to release 1-3 black seeds. The seeds are 5 mm across. They are attached to the centre of a papery wing.

There are 14 Cardiospermum species. They are tropical.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in rocky areas or on clay pans. It grows in the topics and into the subtropics. It is drought resistant but frost tender. In Nepal it grows up to 1500 m altitude. In Peru it grows between 3,000 to 3,300 m above sea level. It can grow in arid places.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Angola, Anguilla, Argentina, Asia, Australia, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Bermuda, Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central Africa, Central America, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Côte d'Ivoire, Cuba, Cyprus, Dominica, Dominican Republic, East Africa, East Timor, Ecuador, Egypt, Equatorial-Guinea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Europe, Fiji, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guiana, Guianas, Guinea, Guinée, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Hawaii, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Iraq, Ivory Coast, Jamaica, Japan, Kenya, Korea, Laos, Lesotho, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Marquesas, Mediterranean, Mexico, Middle East, 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, St Helena, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Taiwan, Tanzania, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tonga, Uganda, Uruguay, USA, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Vietnam, West Africa, West Indies, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The leaves and young shoots are eaten as greens. The fruit pulp is used as the base for a drink. An edible oil can be obtained from the seeds.

It is sold in Chinese herbal stores. It is a popular leaf in cooking in some places. It is not known if it is used as a food in Papua New Guinea.

Edible parts

Leaves, seeds, fruit, stems, tea

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed. They germinate easily. It can also be grown from stem cuttings.

Its other names

Local names

Ambeang baek, Ambeng bek, Bagos-de-chumbo, Balaozinho, Balloon Vine, Batuquinha, Bombilla, Buddakakara, Buputwane, Camapuru, Chenet, Cheque-cheque, Chilmecate, Dai teng ku lian, Farolitos, Fugamane, Globitos, Globos, Hmab nkig soob, khambi-leziduli, Kala-myetsi-galay, Kanphuti, Kapal-phodi, Kapal-phor, Kaparphuti, Karnasphota, Karolio, Kesh lahara, Khok-kra-om, Kisangy, Kok ka awm, Lataphatkari, Lataphutki, Likhambilemamba, Love-in-a-puff, Modakathan keerai, Moodacottan, Msendechare, Mudakkathan, Mudakkatran, Mudukottan, Nella goolisienda, Paratudo, Paria gunong, Pauna, Phuti, Poca, Poniu, Pwepwete, Rudda kankarakoo, Sibjhul, Sitiki, Umubogobogo, Welpenela, Winter cherry

Synonyms

Cardiospermum corindum L.; Cardiospermum microcarpum Humb.; Cardiospermum luridum Blume; Cardiospermum truncatum A. Rich.;