The plant prefers moderate moisture, as well as sandy and well-drained soil and full sun.

[3] Gomphocarpus physocarpus is traditionally used to produce ointments for the treatment of warts and the seeds are used in rituals.

The leaves and stems produce milky latex that is toxic, yet it has never been described in detail particularly with regards to the anatomy of lactiferous cells.

[7] Other names for the plant include in Africaans: balmelkbossie, balbossie, wilde kapok and in Zulu: umbababa, umbemiso, umangwazane, umqumnqwewe, uphuphuma, usingalwesalukazi, umsingalwesalukazi.

The pouch-like structure formed by the petals that surrounds the reproductive organs encourages pollinia to stick to the legs or proboscis of pollinating insects.