The intensely red flowers of this small rigid tree are unlike those of any other small tree from Namaqualand. Erythrophysa alata commonly known as Namaqua Redballoon in English and Namakwa-rooiklapperbos, Mannetjie-roldoring or Kloe-kloekie in Afrikaans is a very attractive shrub or small tree that reaches a height of between 3 and 4 m. The stocky secondary stems arise from a single main stem which, when mature, has a mottled silver-grey appearance in the sun and dark brown colour in the shade. The rather rough bark is prone to flaking in large and old specimens. The leaves are approximately 100 mm long, very attractive, dark green and shiny and clustered on short spur-branchlets, with four to seven pairs of opposite leaflets. The apex tapers at the base and the leaf margins are entire and somewhat wavy at times. The flowers and fruits are most attractive, being a bright red colour and thus contrasting well with the dark green foliage from March till August. Flowers are about 20 mm x 60 mm, petals spurred and stamens long and slender protruding from the flowers. The indehiscent fruits that appear from September are just as attractively red, 3-lobed, round, inflated bladders approximately 60 mm in diameter. The round seeds are black and 15 mm in diameter. Most parts of Erythrophysa alata, including the bark, are highly palatable to stock and herbivores. The edible fruits have a pleasant smell and can be used for making a jelly or an alcoholic beverage. The edible seeds which contain good quality oil can be used in soap-making or to produce lubricants. Early farmers have oiled their rifles and farming implements with oil derived from these seeds. The leaves have medicinal properties and have been used to treat sore eyes, and a purgative can be made from the bark which is given as an enema to cattle.