Cardiospermum corindum L.

  • Authority

    Acevedo-Rodríguez, Pedro & collaborators. 1996. Flora of St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands. Mem. New York Bot. Gard. 78: 1-581.

  • Family

    Sapindaceae

  • Scientific Name

    Cardiospermum corindum L.

  • Description

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    Species Description - Slightly woody vine, 1.5-2 m long, many-branched from base; stems 5-ribbed, pubescent. Leaves biternate, 12-16 x 9-12 cm; leaflets chartaceous, glabrous except for a few hairs on veins, sinuate-dentate at margins, the terminal leaflets rhombic, acute or acuminate at apex and attenuate at base, the lateral leaflets oblongovate, acute at apex and rounded at base; petioles 2-3 cm long, not winged. Thyrses axillary, shorter than the subtending leaves, bearing a pair of tendrils at base of rachis. Calyx of 5 unequal, rounded, greenish sepals, ca. 1 mm long; petals 3.5-4.5 mm long, the appendage apically yellow; stamens 8, filaments pubescent. Capsule ellipsoid to nearly globose, 2-3 cm long, turning from green to straw-colored. Seeds spherical, ca. 4 mm diam., black, with a white reniform hilum.

  • Discussion

    Common name: balloon vine.

  • Distribution

    In open, disturbed areas. Coral Bay (A1844), Chocolate Hole Bay (A2345), Fish Bay (A4154). Also on St. Croix, St. Thomas, and Little St. James; weedy throughout the tropics.

    Saint Croix Virgin Islands of the United States South America| Saint John Virgin Islands of the United States South America| Saint Thomas Virgin Islands of the United States South America|