Sutherlandia frutescens (cancer bush,[2] balloon pea, Cape Blader Pea, sutherlandia, phetola ("it changes") in seTswana, and insiswa ("the one that drives away the darkness") in isiZulu; syn.

[3] These are followed by puffy pea pods filled with an unspecified gas in addition to the seeds.

[4] Sutherlandia frutescens is a small bush growing up to about 1 m (39 in) high.

It is native to dry parts of southern Africa, preferring full sun but tolerant of a wide variety of soil types.

It is a tough, hardy, fast growing and drought tolerant but short lived plant.