Common Name: Balloon Plant
Botanical Name: Gomphocarpus physocarpus
Gomphocarpus physocarpus, also known as Balloon Plant or Hairy Balls, is a unique milkweed native to southeast Africa. It’s named for its inflated, balloon-like seed pods that are covered in soft hair-like spikes.
Medicinally, like many milkweeds, it has been used in traditional medicine to treat various skin conditions and warts, due to its latex-containing sap.
In beauty, the plant’s unique aesthetic makes it a popular choice for ornamental gardens rather than in beauty products.
An interesting fact about the Balloon Plant is that it serves as an important food source for monarch butterfly caterpillars, helping to support the conservation of this species by providing habitat and food.
