Family: Sapindaceae

Large, semi-evergreen, perennial vines that climb via tendrils or clamoring over objects.

Full to part sun, moderate water, top is hardy to about 25°F but regrows vigorously after frost damage.

Larval host for the following butterflies:

Silver-banded Hairstreak (Chlorostrymon simaethis)

Red-lined Scrub-Hairstreak (Strymon bebrycia)

Ceraunus Blue (Hemiargus ceraunus ssp. gyas)

Extractions of Cardiospermum seed are included in skin creams that claim to treat eczema and other skin conditions.

Native to Arizona, Texas, Florida, south into Mexico, Central America and West Indies, South America.

The genus name is derived from the Greek words καρδία, meaning "heart," and σπέρμα, meaning "seed." The name refers to the white heart-shaped pattern on the seeds of the plant. The etymology of the species name is murky, it may be a mispelling of corundum which comes from the Tamil-Dravidian word kurundam, which means "ruby-sapphire". It may also come from the Sanskrit word kuruvinda, which also means "ruby". 

Photo by Pro Esteros, A.C., iNaturalist

Cardiospermum corindum on SEINET