Hairy Balls Milkweed Seeds. The seed pods are an obvious and vulgar conversation starter. This quick growing short lived species native to tropical africa is used as a seasonal annual in the midwest although it is actually a tender perennial.
This quick growing short lived species native to tropical africa is used as a seasonal annual in the midwest although it is actually a tender perennial. This milkweed is commonly known as hairy balls swan plant balloon plant oscar milkweed and family jewels. It has a plethora of common names including balloon plant balloon cotton bush balloon milkweed bishop s balls elephant balls hairy balls monkey balls swan plant and many others.
It is often used as an ornamental plant.
All of our plants are grown without the use of harmful pesticides and are safe for developing larvae. Gomphocarpus physocarpus commonly known as hairy balls balloonplant balloon cotton bush bishop s balls nailhead or swan plant is a species of milkweed the plant is native to southeast africa but it has been widely naturalized. Clusters of fragrant blooms grow on long stems they make great cut flowers drawing butterflies to the plant and they turn into some of the weirdest seedpo. It is both a host and nectar plant for the monarch butterfly.