Cardiospermum grandiflorum
System : Terrestrial
Kingdom
Phylum
Class
Order
Family
Plantae
Magnoliophyta
Magnoliopsida
Sapindales
Sapindaceae
  • General
  • Distribution
  • Impact
  • Management
  • Bibliography
  • Contact
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  • Cardiospermum grandiflorum (Photo: Albert C. Perdeck, Arnhem, The Netherlands)
  • Cardiospermum grandiflorum (Photo: Albert C. Perdeck, Arnhem, The Netherlands)
  • Cardiospermum grandiflorum leaves and fruit (Photo: Albert C. Perdeck, Arnhem, The Netherlands)
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Common name
Balloon vine (English), Grand balloon vine (English), Showy balloonvine (English)
Synonym
Cardiospermum barbicule ,
Cardiospermum hirsutum ,
Similar species
Cardiospermum halicacabum, Cayratia clematidea, Clematis glycinoides, Clematis aristata
Summary
Balloon vine (Cardiospermum grandiflorum) is an invasive tendril climber growing in damp situations, often near river banks. It forms dense but localised infestations and competes with, and smothers, indigenous plant species.
Species Description
Balloon vine (Cardiospermum grandiflorum) is a vigorous, vine-like climber with a spread of 6m or more; hairy leaves and stems; white or yellow flowers grouped together in clusters - pleasant smelling with two tendrils at the base of each cluster; fruits form a large round capsule; seeds are round, changing from green to black when ripe, with an oblong white spot (hilum). Reproduces only by seed WESSA (2006).
Please follow this link to view images of balloon vine, its habit, flowers and seeds.
Lifecycle Stages
Germination of the seed on introduced habitats can occur at any time during the year. Seed longevity is estimated to be around 2 years (Vivian-Smith et al., 2002). However, the exact plant and seed longevity is yet to be confirmed. Further research is currently being undertaken in order to determine various aspects of the plant ecology.
Uses
Various parts of balloon vine (Cardiospermum grandiflorum) can be extracted to provide medicinal applications. For example, the derivatives of the root of the plant has been shown to offer laxative, emetic and diuretic effects. Additionally, the leaves of the plant can be made into medicine which can effectively alleviate swelling, oedema and pulmonary complications (Aluka, 2008).
Habitat Description
Balloon vine (Cardiospermum grandiflorum) prefers moist soils and will tolerate occasional flooding. C. grandiflorum tolerates some shade but is most vigorous in full sun (PIER, 2007).
Reproduction
Seed - the light papery capsules float in water and can also be transported by wind (ESC, 2008).
Nutrition
Balloon vine (Cardiospermum grandiflorum) thrives in well-drained soil types, thus making riparian habitats the ideal location. It has also been noted that optimal growth takes place in well-lit (sunny) locations, although it is capable of germinating in dark conditions. (ARC, 2008)
Pathway
Balloon vine (Cardiospermum grandiflorum) was probably introduced to Australia as an ornamental garden creeper (BRAIN, 1997).

Principal source: Pacific Island Ecosystems at Risk, (PIER), 2007. Cardiospermum grandiflorum

Compiler: IUCN/SSC Invasive Species Specialist Group (ISSG) with support from ASB Community Trust, New Zealand

Review:

Publication date: 2008-04-17

Recommended citation: Global Invasive Species Database (2024) Species profile: Cardiospermum grandiflorum. Downloaded from http://www.iucngisd.org/gisd/species.php?sc=1346 on 24-04-2024.

General Impacts
Balloon vine (Cardiospermum grandiflorum) is an invasive climber growing in damp situations; often near river banks. It forms dense but localised infestations and can grow to enormous lengths and is capable of smothering a tree 10m tall. It competes with, and smothers, indigenous plant species by preventing their ability to effectively undergo photosynthesis. C. grandiflorum invades forest margins, watercourses and urban open spaces in subtropical regions (Wessa, 2006)
Management Info
Chemical: Chemical management (herbicides) of balloon vine (Cardiospermum grandiflorum) is difficult due to their close proximity to water sources. Furthermore, native species may be affected by the treatment. However, limited success is met with the use of glyphosate (Brain, 1997).

Physical: Hand-pulling or digging out of young plants and spraying larger plants. Plants can be cut at the base, leaving top growth to die off in and then the root dug out. Cutting and painting or scraping and painting very large plants (Brain, 1997).

Countries (or multi-country features) with distribution records for Cardiospermum grandiflorum
NATIVE RANGE
  • angola
  • benin
  • botswana
  • cameroon
  • central african republic
  • congo
  • cote d'ivoire
  • ghana
  • guinea
  • kenya
  • liberia
  • malawi
  • namibia
  • nigeria
  • sierra leone
  • south america
  • sudan
  • swaziland
  • tanzania, united republic of
  • togo
  • tropical america
  • uganda
  • zambia
  • zimbabwe
Informations on Cardiospermum grandiflorum has been recorded for the following locations. Click on the name for additional informations.
Lorem Ipsum
Location Status Invasiveness Occurrence Source
Details of Cardiospermum grandiflorum in information
Status
Invasiveness
Arrival date
Occurrence
Source
Introduction
Species notes for this location
Location note
Management notes for this location
Impact
Mechanism:
Outcome:
Ecosystem services:
Impact information
Balloon vine (Cardiospermum grandiflorum) is an invasive climber growing in damp situations; often near river banks. It forms dense but localised infestations and can grow to enormous lengths and is capable of smothering a tree 10m tall. It competes with, and smothers, indigenous plant species by preventing their ability to effectively undergo photosynthesis. C. grandiflorum invades forest margins, watercourses and urban open spaces in subtropical regions (Wessa, 2006)
Red List assessed species 0:
Locations
AUSTRALIA
NEW ZEALAND
Mechanism
[3] Competition
Outcomes
[5] Environmental Ecosystem - Habitat
  • [3] Reduction in native biodiversity
  • [2] Habitat degradation
Management information
Chemical: Chemical management (herbicides) of balloon vine (Cardiospermum grandiflorum) is difficult due to their close proximity to water sources. Furthermore, native species may be affected by the treatment. However, limited success is met with the use of glyphosate (Brain, 1997).

Physical: Hand-pulling or digging out of young plants and spraying larger plants. Plants can be cut at the base, leaving top growth to die off in and then the root dug out. Cutting and painting or scraping and painting very large plants (Brain, 1997).

Bibliography
24 references found for Cardiospermum grandiflorum

Management information
Agricultural Research Council (ARC) 2008. Balloon vine: Cardiospermum grandiflorum (Sapindaceae). South Africa.
Summary: Information on potential biocontrol agents.
Available from: http://www.arc.agric.za/home.asp?PID=1&ToolID=63&ItemID=2963 [Accessed 4 February 2008]
Brisbane Rainforest Action & Information Network (BRAIN), 1997. Balloon Vine Cardiospermum grandiflorum.
Summary: Some general and control information on Cardiospermum.
Available from: http://www.brisrain.webcentral.com.au/newsletters/issue8/bvine.html [Accessed 1 Febuary, 2008]
Chatham Islands Council (CIC), 2006. Proposed Chatham Islands Regional Pest Management.
Summary: Available from: http://www.cic.govt.nz/pdfs/pestManagment/CIC-RPMS-06-DecIncorpFULL.pdf [Accessed 17 April 2008]
Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries (DPIF) 2006. Facts Pest Series Balloon or Heart seed vine Cardiospermum grandiflorum
Summary: Available from: http://www.dpi.qld.gov.au/cps/rde/dpi/hs.xsl/4790_7120_ENA_HTML.htm [Accessed 30 April 2008]
Environment Bay of Plenty (EBOP), 2008. Bay of Plenty Regional Pest Management Strategy.
Environment Canterbury (ECAN), undated. Regionally banned plants list
Summary: Available from: estoration of the subtropical rainforest at Wingham, New South Wales, Australia. [Accessed 17 April 2008]
Environment Waikato (EW), 2007. EW Waikato Regional Pest management Strategy/Appendix 2: National pest Plant Accord.
Eurobdalla Shire Council (ESC), 2007. Balloon vine (Cardiospermum grandiflorum). New South Wales South Coast Weeds.
Summary: Description and information on habitat, impacts, dispersal, lookalikes and control.
Available from: http://www.esc.nsw.gov.au/Weeds/Sheets/vines/V%20Balloon%20vine.htm [Accessed 1 Febuary, 2008]
Global Compendium of Weeds (GCW), 2007. Cardiospermum grandiflorum (Sapindaceae)
Summary: The Global Compendium of Weeds (GCW) is a list of plant species (over 28,000 names) that have been cited in specific references (approximately 1,000) as weeds. An expert has assessed the status of the weed based on its context in each document. Sometimes, additional information--such as native range, whether the plant has reported medical/herbal uses, etc.--is included when available.
GCW is available from: http://www.hear.org/gcw/; this page is available from http://www.hear.org/gcw/species/cardiospermum_grandiflorum/ [Accessed 1 February 2008]
New South Wales (NSW) Scientific Committee 2006. Exotic vines and scramblers - Key Threatening Process Declaration - final. DEC (NSW), Sydney.
Summary: A summary of the current situation regarding invasive vines and scramblers on local fauna and flora ecology in the state of New South Wales, Australia.
Available from: http://www.threatenedspecies.environment.nsw.gov.au/tsprofile/profile.aspx?id=20052 [Accessed 20 Jan 2008]
Pacific Island Ecosystems at Risk (PIER), 2007. Cardiospermum grandiflorum
Summary: General information, including: Description, some distribution, common names and habitat.
Available from: http://www.hear.org/pier/species/cardiospermum_grandiflorum.htm [Accessed 1 Febuary, 2008]
Strayer D, Eviner T, Jeschke, J, & Pace, M. 2006. Understanding the long-term effects of species invasions, Trends Ecol Evol. 21(11): 645-51.
Summary: This report reviews the potential long term effects associated with the introduction of various invasive species.
Vivian-Smith, G and Panetta D. 2002. Going with the Flow: Dispersal of Invasive Vines in Coastal Catchments. Coast to Coast, Alan Fletcher Research Station, Department of Natural Resources and Mines, Queensland, Australia.
Summary: Study on long distance dispersal with water currents.
Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa (WESSA), 2006. Cardiospermum grandiflorum. Alien Invader Plants.
Summary: Some general and management information on Cardiospermum.
Available from: http://www.geocities.com/wessaaliens/species/balloon.htm [Accessed 1 Febuary, 2008]
Wollongong City Council (WCC), 2007. Weeds
Summary: Management information in Wollongong, New South Wales.
Available from: http://www.wollongong.nsw.gov.au/Environment/1251.asp#Balloon [Accessed 20 Jan 2008]
General information
Aluka, 2008. Entry for Cardiospermum grandiflorum Swartz [Family Sapindacea].
Summary: A short summary of the general uses derived from Cardiospermum grandiflorum.
Anning, A. K. & K. Yeboah-Gyan., 2007. Diversity and distribution of invasive weeds in Ashanti Region, Ghana African Journal of Ecology 45 (3), 355�360.
Harden G.J, Fox M.D. And Fox B.J. 2004. Monitoring and assessment of restoration of a rainforest remnant at Wingham Brush, NSW Austral Ecology 29(5): 489�507.
Summary: Restoration of the subtropical rainforest at Wingham, New South Wales, Australia.
ITIS (Integrated Taxonomic Information System), 2005. Online Database Cardiospermum grandiflorum Sw.
Summary: An online database that provides taxonomic information, common names, synonyms and geographical jurisdiction of a species. In addition links are provided to retrieve biological records and collection information from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) Data Portal and bioscience articles from BioOne journals.
Available from: http://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=28669 [Accessed 1 February 2008]
Meyer, J.-Y. 2000. Invasive plants in the Pacific Islands. In: The Invasive Species in the Pacific: A Technical Review and Draft Regional Strategy. Sherley, G. (tech. ed). Published in June 2000 by the South Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP).
Summary: Resource that includes the distribution of invasive species throughout the Pacific Islands.
Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF)/Biosecurity New Zealand, 2008. Balloon vine (Cardiospermum grandiflorum). MAF Biosecurity New Zealand.
Summary: A brief description of Cardiospermum grandiflorum
Available from: http://www.biosecurity.govt.nz/pests/balloon-vine [Accessed 17 March 2010]
National Weeds Strategy (NWS) Australia, 1998.Weed identification. Balloon vine
Summary: Available from: http://www.weeds.org.au/cgi-bin/weedident.cgi?tpl=plant.tpl&state=&s=&ibra=all&card=V01 [Accessed 01 February 2008]
USDA ARS, 2008. Cardiospermum grandiflorum Sw. National Genetic Resources Program. Germplasm Resources Information Network - (GRIN) [Online Database]. National Germplasm Resources Laboratory, Beltsville, Maryland.
Summary: Available from: http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/tax_search.pl?Cardiospermum%20grandiflorum [Accessed 1 February 2008]
USDA, NRCS, 2008. The PLANTS Database Cardiospermum grandiflorum Sw. showy balloonvine (http://plants.usda.gov, 25 July 2007). National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, LA 70874-4490 USA.
Summary: Available from: http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=CAGR13 [Accessed 1 February 2008]
Contact
The following 0 contacts offer information an advice on Cardiospermum grandiflorum
Cardiospermum grandiflorum
Balloon vine, Grand balloon vine, Showy balloonvine
Date assessed
Year published
Eicat category
Justification for EICAT assessment
Confidence rating
Mechanism(s) of maximum impact
Countries of most severe impact
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Recommended citation
(2024). Cardiospermum grandiflorum. IUCN Environmental Impact Classification for Alien Taxa (EICAT).