Flaigg, Norman G.
Staphylea trifolia L.
American bladdernut
Staphyleaceae (Bladdernut Family)
American bladdernut is a large, suckering,
deciduous shrub or small
tree, 8-15 ft. tall. Landscape attributes include: drooping clusters of cream, bell-shaped flowers; attractive, dark-green,
trifoliate leaves; greenish
bark textured with white cracks; and interesting fruit. The
fruit, which changes from green to yellow to brown, is a three-chambered bladder.
Image Gallery:
20 photo(s) available
Plant Characteristics
Duration: Perennial Habit: Shrub Leaf Retention: Deciduous Leaf Complexity: Trifoliate Autumn Foliage: yes
Fruit: Reddish brown
Size Class: 12-36 ft.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: White
Bloom Time: Apr , May
Distribution
USA: AL , AR , CT , DE , FL , GA , IL , IN , IA , KS , KY , LA , MD , MA , MI , MN , MS , MO , NE , NH , NJ , NY , NC , OH , OK , PA , SC , TN , VT , VA , WV , WI , DC
Canada: ON Native Distribution: Que. to MN, s. to FL, AR, e. OK & e. KS; generally absent from the Appalacians
Native Habitat: Moist, deep woods; thickets; floodplain woods
USDA Native Status: L48(N), CAN(N) Growing Conditions
Light Requirement: Shade
Soil Moisture: Moist
Soil pH: Circumneutral (pH 6.8-7.2)
Soil Description: Moist, well-drained sandy or silty loams.
Conditions Comments: Bladdernut is insect and disease resistant. It tolerates a wide variety of soils.
Last Update: 2007-01-01
