Erythrophysa transvaalensis

Erythrophysa transvaalensis, commonly the Transvaal red balloon or bushveld red balloon and in Afrikaans the bosveldrooiklapperbos (bushveld red cracker-bush), is a large shrub or small tree occasionally growing to a height of 5 m (SA Tree List No. 436.2).

The plant branches from the base or slightly higher up. The bark on the slender, brittle stems is red-brown, smooth and shiny.

The tree occurs in North West, Limpopo and western Gauteng; also in small parts of Zimbabwe and Botswana.

The habitat is stony slopes and hills, often near boulders, where it may receive some protection from fire. This is a protected plant in South Africa, although it is not considered to be threatened in its habitat early in the twenty first century.

The plant responds well in cultivation. It can probably be grown from the tuberous roots or from the seeds that germinate readily (Coates Palgrave, 2002; www.plantzafrica.com; www.redlist.sanbi.org).