American Bladdernut

Staphylea trifolia

by Doris Gilbert

American bladdernut is a large, native, understory shrub, often forming thickets in undisturbed landscapes. In early spring, bell-like clusters of urn-shaped, creamy-white flowers bloom before and during the emergence of oval-shaped leaves, attracting a busy assortment of butterflies, hummingbirds, and other pollinators. During summer and fall, fun and decorative inflated fruit pods mature from waxy chartreuse to tan which are persistent long into the winter months. A great plant for naturalizing or shady woodlands.

he seeds are edible and are reported to taste similar to pistachios. The three-sided/three-tipped capsules, often likened to Japanese lanterns, are also prized for dried flower arrangements. Two plants are required for fruit production.

This species is native to the Chicago region according to Swink and Wilhelm’s Plants of the Chicago Region, with updates made according to current research.

Soil type: Alkaline soil

Soil moisture:  Moist, well-drained soil

Sun exposure: Full sun (6 hrs direct light daily), Partial sun / shade (4-6 hrs light daily), Full shade (4 hrs or less of light daily)

Height: Large shrub (more than 8 feet), Compact tree (10-15 feet)

Bloom Color: White

Bloom Time: Early spring, mid spring, midsummer, late summer

Benefits: Host plant for larvae of whitemarked tussock moth and fall webworm, both of which are important food sources for birds. Pollinators include hummingbirds, butterflies, halictus and andrena bee species, honey and bumble bees, syrphid flies, dance flies, and the giant bee fly.

(Sources: mortonarb.com / leavesforwildlife.com /vplant.org / inaturalist.org, gobotany.nativeplanttrust.org)