Other common names:
American Bladdernut French names:
Staphylier à trois folioles Family: Bladdernut Family (Staphyleaceae) Distinctive features: Shrub, ;The "bladders", which are the fruits. 3-part opposite compound leaves. Similar species: •
Hop Tree (Ptelea trifoliata) - leaflets are stalked. • Poison Ivy (Toxicodendron radicans) - has alternate leaves. Flowers: Spring, Summer; Yellow; 5 parts (petals) Leaves: Opposite/Whorled; Compound/Divided; Toothed; Opposite, compound (3 leaflets). Height:
Up to about 5m Trunk:
Striped. Fruit/Seeds:
Ususual "bladders" contain the seeds. Habitat:
Rocky woods, river banks Books: Shrubs of Ontario: 295 Newcomb's Wildflower Guide: 318 Native/Non-native:
Native Status:
common
For more information visit: Ontario Wildflowers Photographs:
78 photographs available, of which 6 are featured on this page. SCROLL DOWN FOR PHOTOGRAPHS.
This is the unusual fruit that gives this plant its name. The papery "bladder" contains 1-4 pale brown hard seeds. They come loose later in the fall when ripe and rattle around inside.
A string of bladders along a branch.
A bladder left over from the previous year. Spring flowers of this plant are visible in the background.
Spring flowers (early June).
The compound leaf (opposite pattern along the stems).
The trunk of this shrub has a striped pattern to it.
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