American Bladdernut Staphylea trifolia 20 Seeds USA Company

Staphylea trifolia, commonly known as American bladdernut, is a deciduous shrub or small tree native to eastern North America. Belonging to the family Staphyleaceae, it is valued for its delicate, bell-shaped flowers and unique bladder-like fruit capsules.

Here are some key features of Staphylea trifolia:

Leaves: The leaves of Staphylea trifolia are compound and trifoliate, meaning they are divided into three leaflets. Each leaflet is oval to lanceolate in shape, with serrated margins. The foliage emerges in early spring and turns yellow in autumn before dropping, adding seasonal interest to the landscape.

Flowers: The flowers of American bladdernut are small, bell-shaped, and white with delicate pink or purple veins. They are borne in pendulous clusters in late spring to early summer, creating a charming display. The flowers are mildly fragrant and attract pollinators such as bees and butterflies.

Fruit: One of the most distinctive features of Staphylea trifolia is its unusual fruit capsules, which resemble inflated bladders or papery lanterns. These capsules contain small seeds and persist on the branches after the foliage drops, adding visual interest to the winter landscape.

Habitat and Growing Conditions: American bladdernut is typically found in moist woodlands, stream banks, and ravines throughout its native range. It thrives in fertile, well-drained soils with consistent moisture levels. While it prefers partial shade, it can tolerate full sun with adequate moisture.

Wildlife Value: The fruit capsules of Staphylea trifolia provide food for a variety of wildlife species, including birds and small mammals. The shrub also provides cover and nesting sites for birds, contributing to habitat diversity in forested areas.

Landscape Use: American bladdernut is valued in landscaping for its attractive foliage, flowers, and fruit capsules. It can be planted as a specimen shrub or small tree in gardens, naturalized areas, and woodland settings. It also makes an excellent understory plant beneath larger trees. Hardy in zones 3-8.

Growing Instructions for the American Bladdernut

The seeds need to be planted when received or stored in a refrigerator until they are planted. The seeds have a hard seed coat that has to be treated, or scarified, in order for water to enter the seeds so that they can sprout. 1. Scarify the seeds by nicking or sanding the seed coat. The seeds can be sanded with sandpaper, a nail file or an emery board. The seeds have a period of dormancy. They can be planted outdoors in the fall or winter for spring germination or they can be cold stratified to simulate winter conditions and to break their dormancy at any time of the year. 1. Soak the seeds in water for 24 hours. 2. Put the seeds in a ziplock bag. 3. Put the bag in the refrigerator and leave it there for 3 months. 4. The seeds like moist soil. Use a sterile seed starter mix, if available. It prevents soil fungi from damaging the seeds and the seedlings. If not available, then make a mixture of half potting soil and half sand, perlite or vermiculite. 5. Put the soil in a pot. 6. Sow the seeds ¼ of an inch deep. 7. Water the soil so that it is moist but not wet. 8. When the seedlings are a few inches tall, they can be transplanted.