Gomphocarpus physocarpus
Poisonous plant
Common names
Swan plant, balloon cotton bush
Biostatus
Exotic
Category
Vascular
Structural class
Herbs - Dicotyledons other than Composites
Simplified description
Similar to G. fruticosus, but having more inflated pods (almost globose or spherical, not ‘swan shaped’) with a shorter stalk.
Flower colours
White
Conservation status
Not applicable
Detailed taxonomy
Family
Apocynaceae
Synonyms
Asclepias physocarpa
Taxonomic notes
Previously in Asclepiadaceae.
Ecology
Fruiting
Inflated, almost globose fruits
Year naturalised
1993 (NZJBot 33:156)
Origin
South Africa
Reason for introduction
Ornamental and perhaps as food for larvae of Monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus)
Propagation technique
seed
Other information
Poisonous plant
The tissues are full of a poisonous white milky latex making all parts of the plant toxic including the bladder-like fruits.