Mid-Atlantic Invaders Tool

balloonvine

Cardiospermum halicacabum

L.

Taxon, Habit: Plant, Vine

Habitat: Wetland/Terrestrial

U.S. Nativity: Introduced

Species Synonym(s): None

Common Name(s): love in a puff, balloonvine, balloon vine

Family: Sapindaceae (Soapberry Family)

Family Synonym(s): None

Native Range (GRIN):

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Fruit

Michael Jordan, Alabama Department of Environmental Management

Foliage

John D. Byrd, Mississippi State University

Feature

John D. Byrd, Mississippi State University

Seed

John D. Byrd, Mississippi State University

Description

Appearance
Cardiospermum halicacabum is a deciduous woody, perennial to annual vine native to Tropical America. The square stems are fast growing and can reach up to 10 ft. (3 m) long. The plants climb with forked tendrils.
Foliage
The compound leaves have large teeth and lobes on the leaflets that can reach 4 in. (10 cm) long.
Flowers
The small white flowers bloom from summer through the fall, flowers are not very showy.
Fruit
The fruit from which the plant gets its common name is balloon-like. They are green maturing to brown, thin-shelled, inflated, angled capsules up to 1.13 in. (3 cm) in diameter containing 3 black seeds each, with a white heart-shaped scar.
Ecological Threat
Cardiospermum halicacabum is a weed of disturbed ground, especially in wetland areas or riparian corridors. It has been introduced throughout the southern and southeastern United States.

Uses

Landscape Ornamental Use (GRIN): Yes

All Uses (GRIN): Ornamental, Beads, Potential seed contaminant

Distribution Map (EDDMapS)

Wetland Indicator

Summary: balloonvine (Cardiospermum halicacabum) is a Wetland/Terrestrial species.

Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plain (AGCP):

Mid-Atlantic Coastal Plain regions

Eastern Mountains and Piedmont (EMP):

Mid-Atlantic Piedmont and Mountain regions

Northcentral and Northeast (NCNE):

Northern parts of PA and NJ (and beyond)


Legend (data from U.S. Army Corps of Engineers)

OBL (Obligate wetland): Almost always occurs in wetlands (estimated probability > 99%) under natural conditions

FACW (Facultative wetland): Usually occurs in wetlands (estimated probability 67% - 99%), but occasionally found in non-wetlands

FAC (Facultative): Equally likely to occur in wetlands (estimated probability 34% - 66%) or non-wetlands

FACU (Facultative upland): Usually occur in non-wetlands (estimated probability 67% - 99%), but occasionally found in wetlands (estimated probability 1% - 33%)

UPL (Obligate upland): Occur almost always (estimated probability > 99%) in non-wetlands under natural conditions

Taxonomic Rank

Kingdom: Plantae
Phylum: Magnoliophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Subclass: Rosidae
Order: Sapindales
Family: Sapindaceae
Genus: Cardiospermum
Subject: Cardiospermum halicacabum L.