Balloonplant

Kauaʻi evidence

Generated media is not occurrence evidence. Proposed monitoring endpoints are not reported observations, measured effects or causal findings.

Names and classification

Scientific name

Gomphocarpus physocarpus

Common names

balloonplant

Other names

Gomphocarpus physocarpus · balloonplant

Record type

Species

Kauaʻi occurrence and status

Kauaʻi occurrence

Recorded on Kauaʻi

Origin

Introduced

Conservation status

Not yet assessed

Evidence date

2026-10-07

Evidence limits

Island-level public occurrence only. The follicle outgrowths are fine flexible threads; do not draw hard cactus-like spines or the long-beaked fruit of other milkweeds.

Habitat and ecology

Habitats

Not yet assessed

Food and resource needs

Not yet assessed

Reproduction

Not yet assessed

Shelter

Not yet assessed

Growth form

Shrub or subshrub; shrub

Threats and conservation

Monitoring

Occupied area and vegetation cover; Mature plants and new recruits; Reproductive plants and fruiting frequency. Proposed monitoring endpoints are not reported observations, measured effects or causal findings.

Data gaps

Current island extent and population trend · Measured local ecological effects

Process and seasonal context

Seasonal timing

Not yet assessed

Seasonal description

An upright shrub with a woody base, pale-hairy shoots and opposite narrow, smooth-edged leaves. Nodding flower clusters have strongly reflexed white petals and white-to-pinkish coronas. Large inflated, nearly spherical follicles have numerous thin, soft, thread-like prickles and no apical beak. Seeds bear long silky tufts. Established wild occurrence warrants observations of occupied cover, reproductive plants and new recruits. These measurements can test persistence and spread. The reviewed accounts do not quantify an island-wide effect on Kauaʻi native vegetation.

Sources and further reading

• https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/97670-1
• https://hbs.bishopmuseum.org/publications/pdf/tr75.pdf