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