{{Short description|Genus of flowering plants}} {{Automatic taxobox | image = Starr 060810-8525 Cardiospermum sp..jpg | image_caption = ''Cardiospermum'' sp. vine | taxon = Cardiospermum | authority = L.<ref name="GRIN">{{cite web |url=http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/genus.pl?2078 |title=''Cardiospermum'' L. |work=Germplasm Resources Information Network |publisher=United States Department of Agriculture |date=2006-03-29 |accessdate=2010-01-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110605001655/http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/genus.pl?2078 |archive-date=2011-06-05 |url-status=dead }}</ref> | subdivision_ranks = Species | subdivision = 14 species, see text }} [[File:Cardiospermum halicacabum MHNT.BOT.2009.13.7.jpg|thumb|''Cardiospermum halicacabum'' - MHNT]]
'''''Cardiospermum''''' is a genus of approximately 14 species in the soapberry family, Sapindaceae, which are native to the American, Indian, and African tropics. The genus name is derived from the Greek words καρδία, meaning "heart," and σπέρμα, meaning "seed."<ref name="Ellis">{{cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/taylorsguidetoan00barb |url-access=registration |first=Barbara W. |last=Ellis |title=Taylor's Guide to Annuals: How to Select and Grow More Than 400 Annuals, Biennials, and Tender Perennials |publisher=Houghton Mifflin Company |year=1999 |isbn=978-0-395-94352-6 |page=[https://archive.org/details/taylorsguidetoan00barb/page/246 246]}}</ref> Common names of the members of this genus include '''balloon vine''', '''love in a puff''', '''heartseed''', and '''heartseed vine'''. These plants are classified as invasive species in parts of the Southern United States and South Africa.
==Uses== The genus ''Cardiospermum'' consists primarily of herbaceous vines, which are cultivated in warm regions as ornamental plants. Extractions of ''Cardiospermum'' seed are included in skin creams that claim to treat eczema and other skin conditions.
==Species== Species include: *''Cardiospermum corindum'' *''Cardiospermum dissectum'' *''Cardiospermum grandiflorum'' *''Cardiospermum halicacabum''
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== *[http://www.hear.org/Pier/species/cardiospermum_grandiflorum.htm ''Cardiospermum grandiflorum''] at Pacific Island Ecosystems at Risk (PIER) *[http://www.skinmagazine.co.uk/active-element-cardiospermum-defensil_14 New active discovered in Cardiospermum extract could be more effective than steroids] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200122102339/http://www.skinmagazine.co.uk/active-element-cardiospermum-defensil_14 |date=2020-01-22 }}
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Category:Sapindaceae Category:Sapindaceae genera