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 5 m (16 ft) 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
Origin and Meaning of Names:
Scientific Name: trifolia: three-leaved For more information visit: Ontario Wildflowers Photographs:
78 photographs available, of which 11 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.
Typical Bladdernut leaf.
Bladdernut leaves.
The compound leaf (opposite pattern along the stems).
Edge of a Bladdernut leaf.
A bladder left over from the previous year. Spring flowers of this plant (in early June) are visible in the background.
Bladdernut flowers in early May.
The trunk of Bladdernut has a striped pattern to it.
Bladdernut buds in April.
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