Discover Nature at JCU Plants NQ Weeds by scientific name A-P Gomphocarpus spp.

Gomphocarpus spp.

Images of Gomphocarpus sp.

(Cotton bushes, Balloon bushes)

FAMILY

Apocynaceae

Species

Gomphocarpus spp.

Common name(s)

Cotton bushes, balloon bushes

Flower colour; life form

Flowers white; shrubs

Distinguishing features

These plants form sparsely branched shrubs to 2 m tall, latex or white sap obvious when broken. The pendent flowers are arranged in an umbel, petals white to cream. Fruits form inflated follicles which burst to release plumed wind-dispersed seeds. Gomphocarpus physocarpus (Balloon Cotton Bush)has globular fruits and is found throughout Queensland; Gomphocarpus fruticosus (Narrow-leafed cotton bush), which has the "balloon" drawn out into a point, occurs in southern Queensland.

Scan of Gomphocarpus sp.