Code
GOPPH
Growth form
Shrub
Biological cycle
Perennial
Habitat
Terrestrial
GOPPH
Growth form
Shrub
Biological cycle
Perennial
Habitat
Terrestrial
🗒 Synonyms
| synonym | Asclepias brasiliensis (Fourn.) Schltr. |
| synonym | Asclepias denticulata Schltr. |
| synonym | Asclepias physocarpa (E. Mey.) Schltr. |
| synonym | Asclepias semilunata N. E. Br. |
| synonym | Gomphocarpus brasiliensis Fourn. |
| synonym | Gomphocarpus fruticosus (L.) R.Br. |
| synonym | Gomphocarpus fruticosus f. brasiliensis (E.Fourn.) Briq. |
| synonym | Gomphocarpus semilunatus A. Rich. |
🗒 Common Names
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📚 Overview
Diagnostic
Global description
Gomphocarpus physocarpus is a bushy shrub up to 1 to 2 m high highly branched. Taproot. The round stems are glabrous or covered with a fine hairiness and lignose at the base. Leaves simple, opposite, carried by a short petiole. Lamina linear lanceolate measuring between 3 and 12 cm long and 0.5 to 2 cm wide, acute apex, base in wedge and entire margin. Leaves and stems produce a white latex when damaged. Inflorescences in umbels carried by a peduncle of about 3 cm. Each flower is itself pedicellate, consisting of a calyx with 5 narrow bilobed sepals, 5 broad white petals and in the center a petaloid ring very distinct 5 mm high and diameter, surrounding the stamens. The fruits are blistered ovoid pods with rounded or depressed tops, 4-7 cm long and 2.5-5 cm in diameter, covered with small, soft spines 7-10 mm long. Yellow at maturity, they contain numerous small black seeds adorned with a tuft of silky hairs.
Gomphocarpus physocarpus is a bushy shrub up to 1 to 2 m high highly branched. Taproot. The round stems are glabrous or covered with a fine hairiness and lignose at the base. Leaves simple, opposite, carried by a short petiole. Lamina linear lanceolate measuring between 3 and 12 cm long and 0.5 to 2 cm wide, acute apex, base in wedge and entire margin. Leaves and stems produce a white latex when damaged. Inflorescences in umbels carried by a peduncle of about 3 cm. Each flower is itself pedicellate, consisting of a calyx with 5 narrow bilobed sepals, 5 broad white petals and in the center a petaloid ring very distinct 5 mm high and diameter, surrounding the stamens. The fruits are blistered ovoid pods with rounded or depressed tops, 4-7 cm long and 2.5-5 cm in diameter, covered with small, soft spines 7-10 mm long. Yellow at maturity, they contain numerous small black seeds adorned with a tuft of silky hairs.
Thomas Le Bourgeois
| Attributions | |
| Contributors | |
| Status | UNDER_CREATION |
| Licenses | CC_BY |
| References |
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No Data
📚 Nomenclature and Classification
No Data
📚 Natural History
Life Cycle
New Caledonia: Flowering occurs during the 2nd year in the cool season followed by fruiting in the dry season.
Nicaragua : Gomphocarpus physocarpus flowers and fruits all year round.
South Africa: Flowering of Gomphocarpus physocarpus occurs almost all year with a peak during the summer.
Wiktrop
| Attributions | Wiktrop |
| Contributors | |
| Status | UNDER_CREATION |
| Licenses | CC_BY |
| References |
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Cyclicity
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Gomphocarpus physocarpus is a perennial species. It spreads very easily and quickly with its many seeds scattered by the wind. The fruits can also float and can be dispersed bu waterflow, the seeds adhere to the mud present on the animals, they also contaminate the crop seeds.
Thomas Le Bourgeois
| Attributions | |
| Contributors | |
| Status | UNDER_CREATION |
| Licenses | CC_BY |
| References |
Look Alikes
Gomphocarpus physocarpus is very similar to G. fruticosus (L.) W.T.Aiton. These two species can be distinguished by the following characters:
G. physocarpus has rounded fruits (globular or sub-globular) that terminate abruptly and often have a hollow tip with a small beak.
G. fruticosus has closely ovoid and slightly curved fruits that gradually shrink to form a curved short beak.
These two species often grow together and hybridize easily. Hybrids consist of intermediate forms between the two species, sometimes making it impossible to assign individual plants to a particular species.
G. physocarpus has rounded fruits (globular or sub-globular) that terminate abruptly and often have a hollow tip with a small beak.
G. fruticosus has closely ovoid and slightly curved fruits that gradually shrink to form a curved short beak.
These two species often grow together and hybridize easily. Hybrids consist of intermediate forms between the two species, sometimes making it impossible to assign individual plants to a particular species.
Thomas Le Bourgeois
| Attributions | |
| Contributors | |
| Status | UNDER_CREATION |
| Licenses | CC_BY |
| References |
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Ecology
Gomphocarpus physocarpus is a fast-growing, drought-tolerant species. In its native range, it grows in meadows and bushy wastelands, often along roads and in disturbed environments, from the coast to 900 m altitude, on acid soils (pH 5.6 - 6) well drained.
Australia: Gomphocarpus physocarpus grows as a weed in open woodlands, grasslands, wetlands, disturbed sites, waste areas, roadsides, pastures and plantations in warmer subtropical, tropical and hot temperate regions.
Hawaii: It is a common species in the low elevation dry areas of all the islands, but it can be recorded up to 1830 m above sea level.
Mauritius: G. physocarpus is particularly found on roadsides or next to houses, especially in the humid region (1,500 to 3,000 mm of rainfall annually). It is very rarely found in gardens or crops.
New Caledonia: It is mainly present on the west coast in evolutionary stands colonizing disturbed pastures in dry areas on well-drained soils.
Nicaragua: G. physocarpus is an exotic species cultivated and naturalised in the north-central zone at altitudes of 600 to 800 m.
Seychelles: Present only in gardens, it is not a crop weed.
South Africa: Gomphocarpus physocarpus is a common species in seasonal wet grasslands and floodplains, and is also found in disturbed areas.
Wiktrop
| Attributions | Wiktrop |
| Contributors | |
| Status | UNDER_CREATION |
| Licenses | CC_BY |
| References |
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Miscellaneous Details
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Toxicity
Like many species of the Apocynaceae family, the plant contains a toxic white latex containing principles acting on the heart and alkaloids that cause vomiting. The presence of latex makes it unpalatable to livestock but may be responsible for the death of animals that have consumed contaminated hay. It is toxic to humans, cows, sheep, horses, donkeys, and pigs.
Like many species of the Apocynaceae family, the plant contains a toxic white latex containing principles acting on the heart and alkaloids that cause vomiting. The presence of latex makes it unpalatable to livestock but may be responsible for the death of animals that have consumed contaminated hay. It is toxic to humans, cows, sheep, horses, donkeys, and pigs.
Thomas Le Bourgeois
| Attributions | |
| Contributors | |
| Status | UNDER_CREATION |
| Licenses | CC_BY |
| References |
No Data
📚 Habitat and Distribution
Description
Origin
Gomphocarpus physocarpus is native to South Africa, Swaziland and Mozambique.
Worldwide distribution
Species widely naturalized in tropical, subtropical and semi-arid ecosystems (Africa, Mediterranean countries - Italy, Canary Islands, China, India, Mexico, tropical Central and South America and the Caribbean - Jamaica and Cuba). It is also very present in the islands of the Pacific and Indian Ocean - Madagascar, Mauritius, Rodrigues.
Thomas Le Bourgeois
| Attributions | |
| Contributors | |
| Status | UNDER_CREATION |
| Licenses | CC_BY |
| References |
There is content in another language. Please click here to read it. (Français)
No Data
📚 Occurrence
No Data
📚 Demography and Conservation
Risk Statement
Global harmfulness
Gomphocarpus physocarpus is one of the 300 major invasive species of the tropical islands of the Pacific, Indian Ocean and in tropical and subtropical areas of Australia, where it is declared invasive in the western part. In Hawaii and Australia it is considered an active invasive species of pastures, sugarcane and dry coastal forests.
Local harmfulness
Madagascar: Gomphocarpus physocarpus is very common and sometimes abundant species along roadways and in cattle grazing areas.
New Caledonia: Introduced recently in New Caledonia, it is mainly present on the west coast in evolutionary stands colonizing disturbed pastures. It is a potentially invasive species to watch.
Mauritius: Species considered invasive in natural lanscape but very rare in crops.
Mayotte: Absent.
Reunion: Present but not observed as a weed in crops.
Rodrigues: Species considered invasive.
Wiktrop
| Attributions | Wiktrop |
| Contributors | |
| Status | UNDER_CREATION |
| Licenses | CC_BY |
| References |
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No Data
📚 Uses and Management
Uses
Ornemental: Gomphocarpus physocarpus is somtimes cultivated as ornament.
Agronomy: It has been cultivated in Hawai as fiber crop.
Medicinal: In China, Gomphocarpus physocarpus is grown as a medicinal plant.
Wiktrop
| Attributions | Wiktrop |
| Contributors | |
| Status | UNDER_CREATION |
| Licenses | CC_BY |
| References |
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Management
Local control
New Caledonia: In order to limit the expansion of the initial stands of Gomphocarpus physocarpus, control of this species should be considered as soon as the first individuals appear when manual pulling is still possible. For larger stands mechanical destruction will be necessary (pulling, plowing). Rotary-grinding can be effective, but vegetative regrowth is often observed. When these methods are not applicable, herbicides can be used but adult plants are fairly tolerant. It is preferable to treat post-cut regrowth with triclopyr herbicide during plant activity (late rainy season) and before flowering. Non-selective treatment with glyphosate may be considered on isolated feet. The presence in New Caledonia of the butterfly Danaus plexipus, whose caterpillar feeds almost exclusively on the leaves and fruits of this plant, probably plays a role in the nonproliferation of Gomphocarpus.
New Caledonia: In order to limit the expansion of the initial stands of Gomphocarpus physocarpus, control of this species should be considered as soon as the first individuals appear when manual pulling is still possible. For larger stands mechanical destruction will be necessary (pulling, plowing). Rotary-grinding can be effective, but vegetative regrowth is often observed. When these methods are not applicable, herbicides can be used but adult plants are fairly tolerant. It is preferable to treat post-cut regrowth with triclopyr herbicide during plant activity (late rainy season) and before flowering. Non-selective treatment with glyphosate may be considered on isolated feet. The presence in New Caledonia of the butterfly Danaus plexipus, whose caterpillar feeds almost exclusively on the leaves and fruits of this plant, probably plays a role in the nonproliferation of Gomphocarpus.
Thomas Le Bourgeois
| Attributions | |
| Contributors | |
| Status | UNDER_CREATION |
| Licenses | CC_BY |
| References |
There is content in another language. Please click here to read it. (Français)
No Data
📚 Information Listing
Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF)
There is content in another language. Please click here to read it. (Français)
Thomas Le Bourgeois
| Attributions | |
| Contributors | |
| Status | UNDER_CREATION |
| Licenses | CC_BY |
| References |
References
- Blanfort, V., F. Desmoulins, J. Prosperi, T. Le Bourgeois, R. Guiglion and P. Grard (2010). AdvenPaC V.1.0 : Adventices et plantes à conflit d'intérêt des Pâturages de Nouvelle-Calédonie. Montpellier, France, IAC, Cirad.http://idao.cirad.fr/applications
- Plants of the World Online https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:97670-1
- The World Flora Online http://www.worldfloraonline.org/taxon/wfo-0000705729
- Flora of China http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=2&taxon_id=210000667
Information Listing > References
- Blanfort, V., F. Desmoulins, J. Prosperi, T. Le Bourgeois, R. Guiglion and P. Grard (2010). AdvenPaC V.1.0 : Adventices et plantes à conflit d'intérêt des Pâturages de Nouvelle-Calédonie. Montpellier, France, IAC, Cirad.http://idao.cirad.fr/applications
- Plants of the World Online https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:97670-1
- The World Flora Online http://www.worldfloraonline.org/taxon/wfo-0000705729
- Flora of China http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=2&taxon_id=210000667
Images
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Herbarium pictures ReCOLNAT: https://explore.recolnat.org/search/botanique/simplequery=Gomphocarpus%2520physocarpus
Thomas Le Bourgeois
| Attributions | |
| Contributors | |
| Status | UNDER_CREATION |
| Licenses | CC_BY |
| References |
No Data
🐾 Taxonomy
| Root | Root |
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Phylum | Tracheophyta |
| Class | Magnoliopsida |
| Order | Gentianales |
| Family | Apocynaceae |
| Genus | Gomphocarpus |
| Species | Gomphocarpus physocarpus E. Meyer |
📊 Temporal Distribution
📷 Related Observations
