For the identification of insects and other fauna and flora of South Africa.

Thursday, July 4, 2013

Balloon Vine (Cardiospermum grandiflorum)

Family Sapindaceae
 A most pernicious creeper, that has established itself in the middle section of the Drive and the top section of Glenturrett Road and is now invading other roadways and becoming a nuisance to neighbouring gardens.
 This creeper seeds itself freely and when it has opportunity to grow, it quickly establishes itself, choking trees and other plant life. Residents should check their properties and boundary lines and remove the offender.
 Roddy Ward of Elland Road, an expert on our endemic flora and a sworn enemy of aliens, informs us that the creeper can very easily be pulled up by the roots.

Merely cutting it down allows it to shoot up again and to blanket trees and shrubs. If this is not possible a 'judicious' painting (not spraying) of herbicide on the stock will do the trick.
Info: https://sites.google.com/site/mnrrdgcmntyasctn/alien-plants