Showy Balloonvine
Cardiospermum grandiflorum
- Native to:
- Angola, Argentina, Belize, Benin, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Cabinda, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Colombia, Congo, Costa Rica, DR Congo, El Salvador, Eswatini, Ghana, Guatemala, Guinea, Guyana, Honduras, Ivory Coast, Jamaica, Kenya, Liberia, Malawi, Mexico, Namibia, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Panamá, Paraguay, Peru, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Sudan-South Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Uruguay, Zambia, Zimbabwe
Macleay Grass Man
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Sapindaceae
- Genus:
- Cardiospermum
- Species:
- Cardiospermum grandiflorum
- USDA Symbol:
- CAGR13
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb , Vine
- Height:
- 1000 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
- Bloom Months:
- jun,jul,aug,sep,oct
- Bloom Colors:
- white
Wildlife Benefits
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
- Caterpillars:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Silver-banded hairstreak (Chlorostrymon simaethis)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, butterflies
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rich, well-drained loamy soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- prefers nutrient-rich soils in native habitats
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- None required
- Scarification:
- Seed coat scarification required before sowing
- Germination Time:
- 14–30 days
- Notes:
- Scarification improves germination rates. Seeds germinate readily in warm conditions.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI