Bladdernut

Scientific name: Staphylea trifolia

Family: Staphyleaceae (Bladdernut family)

American bladdernut is a fast-growing, upright shrub or small tree native to Ohio. It is commonly found in nutrient-rich bottomlands, woodland thickets, and moist soils along waterways where it establishes dense, shrubby, colonies in the wild. The plants flower best in years that follow hot summers and it is known to have no serious insect or disease problems. Use this native in a rain or woodland garden, plant it in an understory area of the landscape that gets some shade or near a stream, pond, or water feature.  

Identification

LEAF: Leaves are opposite and compound, with 3 leaflets.  Each leaflet is 1½–2 inches long, egg-shaped or oval, with serrated margins and a pointed tip. Upper surface is bright green with pubescent veins; the lower surface is slightly pale and pubescent. The leaves remain green until late in autumn, eventually turning yellowish green.

TWIGS AND BUDS: Twigs are flexible, smooth, reddish brown to greenish brown, often striped, curved, and ascending. 

FLOWER: Flowers April–May, in drooping clusters 2–4 inches long on a short stem. Flowers are small, white, and bell-shaped.

FRUIT OR SEED: Fruits in August, and is persistent until midwinter. Fruit is bladderlike and can be found solitarily or in clusters of 2–5.

BARK: Bark is grayish brown, smooth on young shrubs, and slightly grooved and flaky on older trunks. 

SHAPE: Shape ranges from a shrub-like feature to a small tree and is heavily branched.

MATURE HEIGHT: 10-15 feet

Information credits: Ohio DNR, NC State Extension

Photo credits: ©Arthur Haines (Native Plant Trust), Stefan Lefnaer, Arieh Tal (https://botphoto.info)