Gomphocarpus physocarpus
| Gomphocarpus physocarpus | |
|---|---|
| Photo of balloonplant with capsules | |
| Detail photo of balloonplant capsules | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Gentianales |
| Family: | Apocynaceae |
| Genus: | Gomphocarpus |
| Species: | G. physocarpus |
| Binomial name | |
| Gomphocarpus physocarpus | |
| Synonyms | |
| |
Gomphocarpus physocarpus, commonly known as hairy balls, balloonplant, balloon cotton-bush, bishop's balls, nailhead, or swan plant, is a species of plant in the Milkweed subfamily Asclepiadoideae of the Dogbane Family (Apocynaceae), related to the milkweeds. The plant is native to southeast Africa, but it has been widely naturalised as it is often used as an ornamental plant.