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 rydbergii) - has alternate leaves. Flowers: Spring, Summer; White, Yellow; 5 parts (petals) Leaves: Opposite/Whorled, Compound, Toothed; Opposite, compound (3 leaflets). Height:
3-5 m (9-16 ft) Trunk:
Striped. Fruit/Seeds:
Ususual "bladders" contain the seeds. Habitat: Forests, Fields and Open Areas; 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 Photographs:
82 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.
