Staphylea trifolia Linnaeus. Common name: Bladdernut. Phenology: Apr-May; Aug-Oct. Habitat: Nutrient-rich bottomland forests, extending upslope over calcareous or mafic rocks. Distribution: QC west to MN, south to sw. GA, Panhandle FL, n. AL, n. MS, and OK.
Origin/Endemic status: Native
Synonymy ⓘ: = Ar, C, Can, F, Fl4, FNA9, G, GrPl, GW2, Il, K4, Mi, Mo3, NE, NS, NY, Pa, POWO, RAB, S, Tat, Tn, Va, W, WH3, WV, Spongberg (1971); = Staphylea trifoliata L. — S13, orthographic error. Basionym: Staphylea trifolia L. 1753
Links to other floras: = Staphylea trifolia - FNA9
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Wetland Indicator Status:
- Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plain: FAC
- Eastern Mountains and Piedmont: FAC
- Great Plains: FAC
- Midwest: FAC
- Northcentral & Northeast: FAC
Heliophily ⓘ: 2
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Horticultural Information
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Height: 10-15 ft.
plant sale text: American bladdernut has small, bell-shaped greenish-white flowers in late spring that are followed by inflated dry balloon-like fruits. Its foliage is handsome throughout the growing season. It is an upright shrub that usually has greater height than width when it reaches maturity. Though if allowed to sucker it may form a colony. Easy to grow although not often offered for sale. It grows relatively quickly, especially in moist soils, and has few disease or insect problems.
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native range: eastern North America
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