Lessertia frutescens
Balloon Pea, Cancer Bush
Other regional names: Cancerbush +1 more
- Cancerbush
- Duckplant
Also known as: Colutea frutescens L. +5 more
- Colutea frutescens L.
- Colutea grandiflora Salisb.
- Colutia frutescens (L.) Medik.
- Colutia frutescens L.
- Sutherlandia frutescens (L.) R.Br.
- Sutherlandia frutescens (L.) W.T.Aiton
Botanical Data
- Taxonomic Rank: Species
- Botanical Family: Fabaceae
- WCVP Morphological Data: Recorded natively as a subshrub or shrub.
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Naturally occurring in Africa, Lessertia frutescens (commonly known as Balloon-Pea or Cancer Bush) is a shrub belonging to the Fabaceae family. Within its native range, this species is most commonly linked to subtropical conditions. There are naturally occurring subspecies of this species, which are linked below.
Macro Climate
Subtropical
Plant Type
Shrub
Native Range
Continents (WGSRPD)
AFRICA
Regions (WGSRPD)
Southern Africa
Botanical Countries (WGSRPD L3)
Botswana, Cape Provinces, Free State, KwaZulu-Natal, Lesotho, Namibia, Northern Provinces
Introduced Range
An “Introduced” distribution indicates that the plant is recorded outside its native range in that region as a result of deliberate or accidental human introduction. Introduced records may include casual, naturalized or invasive populations, but do not include plants that are only cultivated or planted without self-sustaining populations.
Botanical Countries (Non-Native)
Kenya, Mexico Central, Mexico Northeast, New South Wales, South Australia, Victoria, Western Australia
Subspecies, Varieties & Forms