Staphylea trifolia American Bladder Nut PFAF Plant Database

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Summary

Physical Characteristics

Staphylea trifolia is a deciduous Shrub growing to 4 m (13ft 1in) at a medium rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5. It is in flower from May to June, and the seeds ripen from September to November. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Plant Habitats

Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; Shady Edge;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Seed Oil
Edible Uses: Oil

Seed - raw or cooked[161, 177]. They are eaten like pistachios[2]. The seed can be used in place of walnuts (Juglans spp) in making chocolate-chip cookies[183]. A sweet edible oil is obtained from the seed[2]. It is used for cooking purposes[183].

References More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Skin

An infusion of the powdered bark has been used as a wash for sore faces[257].

References More on Medicinal Uses

Other Uses

Oil Soil stabilization

Plants have dense underground root systems and are of some value in erosion control[229].

Special Uses

References More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Tolerant of a wide range of soils so long as they are not too dry[11, 182, 200], it prefers a rich loamy soil in full sun or semi-shade[200]. A fast-growing but short-lived tree in the wild[229]. The plants flower best in years that follow hot summers[200]. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[200].

References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:

Celsius Fahrenheit:

Plant Propagation

Seed - this can be very slow to germinate, sometimes taking 18 months or more. It is best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame[200], and some of it at least should then germinate in the spring. Stored seed should be sown as early in the year as possible and given cold stratification - it might not germinate until spring of the following year. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in light shade in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant them out early the following summer. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 5 - 8cm with a heel, July/August in a frame. Fair to good percentage[78]. Layering in July/August. Takes 15 months. Good percentage[78].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

NORTHERN AMERICA: Canada (Québec, Ontario), United States (Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Pennsylvania, Vermont, West Virginia, Connecticut, Minnesota, Oklahoma, Wisconsin, Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Tennessee)

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it's worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

IUCN Red List

Related Plants

Latin Name	Common Name	Habit	Height	Hardiness	Growth	Soil	Shade	Moisture	Edible	Medicinal	Other
Euscaphis japonica		Shrub	3.5	-		LMH	SN	M	1	1
Staphylea bumalda		Tree	1.8	4-8		LMH	SN	M	1	0
Staphylea colchica	Bladdernut	Shrub	4.0	5-9	M	LMH	SN	M	1	1	1
Staphylea emodi		Shrub	3.5	8-11		LMH	SN	M	0	0	2
Staphylea pinnata	Bladder Nut	Shrub	4.5	5-9		LMH	SN	M	3	0	0

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

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Botanical References

1143200

Links / References

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Readers comment


Jay Cutts	Fri Mar 21 05:21:36 2003

According to Taylors Encyclopedia of Gardening this plant is hardy to Zone 2! It can't be a zone 5 plant if it grows in Quebec and Nebraska.

Staphylea trifolia - L.