balloon vine

noun

1. a tropical climbing plant, Cardiospermum halicacabum, of the soapberry family, bearing big, bladderlike pods and black seeds with a white, heart-shaped spot.

balloon vine

noun

1. a tropical tendril-climbing sapindaceous plant, Cardiospermum halicacabum , cultivated for its ornamental balloon-like seed capsules

Word History and Origins

Origin of balloon vine¹

An Americanism dating back to 1830–40

Example Sentences

Of the tender vines, the nasturtiums and ipomeas and morning-glories are the most common in the North, while the adlumia, balloon vine, passion vine, gourds, and others, are frequently used.

From Project Gutenberg