BALLOONFLOWER

also called Chinese bellflower (species Platycodon grandiflorum) plant that is the only species of its genus, an East Asian perennial of the bellflower family (Campanulaceae). The balloonflower has balloonlike buds that become flaring, five-lobed, bell-shaped flowers with a thick, rubbery texture. At maturity the fruit is a five-valved seedpod that opens at the top. The leaves are unstalked, pointed, and oval and become narrow higher on the stems, which are 30 to 70 cm (1 to 2.5 feet) long. The lavender-blue to white flowers have sharp-pointed lobes and are 5 to 7 cm (2 to 3 inches) across. Many varieties of balloonflower are cultivated as garden ornamentals and border plants.