Balloon vine
Botanical Name
Cardiospermum grandiflorum
Family
Sapindaceae (soapberry)
Also known as
Cardiospermum halicacabum, heart seed vine
Where is it originally from?
North and Central America, West Indies and Africa
What does it look like?
Perennial climber with yellow hairs on a ribbed stem, and compound leaves of 9 thin, coarsely toothed, light green, hairy leaflets (2.5-10 cm long) arranged in groups of 3. Clusters of white to pale yellow flowers with 4 petals (7-9mm long) are produced from summer to winter, with tendrils growing from the base of the flower stalk. Balloon-like fruit has 3 thin, papery walls (4-8cm long), ripens from green to straw-coloured in autumn and contains 3 black seeds (7mm wide).
Are there any similar species?
Small balloon vine (Cardiospermum halicacabum) is very similar, but smaller and not hairy. Clematis and old man's beard (Clematis species) have leaves composed of 3 leaflets, and white flowers with four petals, but seeds have a fluffy 'parachute' of hairs attached rather than a capsule.
Why is it weedy?
Grows vigorously, climbing up to 10 m high or spreading along the ground, blanketing all vegetation.
How does it spread?
Seed capsules are spread by wind and water, and spreads also by suckering and root fragments.
What damage does it do?
Grows rapidly into the tops of trees, excluding light and forming a thick curtain of stems, the weight of the vines can contribute to canopy collapse and ecosystem destruction.
Which habitats is it likely to invade?
Moist areas along river edges, forest margins and road edges in warmer areas. Tolerates flooding and part shade, but prefers full sun and well-drained soil. Seedlings germinate on disturbed land.
What can I do to get rid of it?
Contact your regional council to determine the status of this species and responsibility for control and/or advice on control.
1. Hand pull plants and seedlings (all year round).
2. Cut and paint stump (spring-summer): glyphosate (333ml/L).
3. Cut stems at waist height (dense infestations), leaving foliage over supporting vegetation in place to rot away. Leave the stems to resprout then spray the foliage with glyphosate (10ml/L).
CAUTION: When using any herbicide or pesticide, PLEASE READ THE LABEL THOROUGHLY to ensure that all instructions and directions for the purchase, use and storage of the product, are followed and adhered to.
What can I do to stop it coming back?
Remove the seed source, the original parent plant. Monitor the site and pull out or spray seedlings and regrowth. Seed viability is relatively short (approximately 18 months).