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Weed of the Month - Swan Plant of Balloon Cotton Bush

Gomphocarpus fruticosus (L.) W.T.Aiton (family Asclepiadaceae)

Balloon cotton bush is easily identified in March by its’ large, greenish white, egg shaped pods. The ripe fruit contain numerous seeds attached to a tuft of white silky hairs

Balloon cotton bush is a medium sized straggly shrub with white flowers and hairy stems, which exude white milky latex. A native of South Africa, it is often found in sunny well-drained situations along roadsides and in disturbed sites. It is not practically palatable; however, toxins similar to those found in digitalis are present. If eaten, livestock are affected and symptoms include

Vectors: Spreads by seeds and lateral roots.
Herbicide control: There are a number of herbicides registered.

Notes:   Some people have an allergic reaction to the sap
This is a P1 declared plant in parts of Western Australia