SafePlants

American Bladdernut

The American Bladdernut (Staphylea trifolia) is a native deciduous shrub or small tree known for its attractive foliage and distinctive fruit.

Considerations for Pets

• This plant produces capsules that hang on the plant.

Considerations for Children

• This plant produces capsules that hang on the plant.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

• Scientific Name: Staphylea trifolia L.
• Common Names: American Bladdernut, American Bladder Nut
• Family: Staphyleaceae (Bladdernut Family)

Distribution and Habitat

• Native to eastern North America.
• Found from southern Ontario and southwestern Quebec west to Nebraska and Arkansas.
• Widely distributed across the eastern United States, from western New England and across much of the country.
• Typically found in rich bottomland forests, especially along streams.
• Commonly occurs in bottomlands, woodland thickets, and moist areas.

Morphological Characteristics

• Large suckering shrub or small tree, typically 8-15 ft. tall, but can reach up to 15 feet.
• Heavily branched due to suckering, often forming thickets.
• Deciduous, with opposite, trifoliate leaves (compound leaves with 3 leaflets).
• Leaves are described as glossy and attractive.
• Small, white flowers appear in drooping clusters.
• The seed capsule is an enlarged green papery-shelled "bladder".
• Bark on older stems is smooth, grayish-green.
• Young bark is gray-brown and smooth, becoming flaky when older.
• Twigs are somewhat coarse, pliable, and reddish-brown.

Growth Habits

• Fast-growing.
• Suckering habit leads to the formation of thickets.
• Grows as a multi-stemmed shrub or small tree.
• Habit is upright and wide-spreading.
• Prefers part to full shade.
• Height: 3-15 feet.
• Spread: 6-12 feet.

Habitat Preferences

• Prefers a fertile loam but tolerates a wide range of soils.
• Moderately wet to moderately dry moisture levels.
• Likes rich, acidic soils.
• Typically found in deciduous woodlands with trees such as Sycamore, Silver Maple, Sugar Maple, American Basswood, and River Birch.
• USDA hardiness zones 4-8.

Flowering and Fruiting

• Flowers in May with greenish-white blooms.
• Fruits appear from August to December as red-brown capsules.

Further Information

• Leafsnap is an electronic field guide that includes images of the American Bladdernut.
• Dave's Garden is a community that shares tips and ideas for gardens, along with seeds and plants.