balloonflower
plant
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.
- International Seabed Authority
- International, Second
- International Settlements, Bank for
- International Society of Blood Transfusion
- International Society of Christian Endeavor
- International space endurance records
- International Space Station
- International Standard Book Number
- International Standard Serial Number
- International Style
- International System of Units
- International System of Units (SI)
- International Telecommunication Union
- International, Third
- international trade
- International Ultraviolet Explorer
- International Union for Conservation of Nature
- International Unit
- International Washington, D.C.
- International Whaling Commission
- International Women's Day
- Internet
- Internet Explorer
- Internet service provider
- Inter-Parliamentary Union