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Staphylea trifolia - L.

Common Name American Bladder Nut
Family Staphyleaceae
USDA hardiness 4-8
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Rich moist thickets along streams and the borders of woods[43, 229].
Range Eastern N. America - Quebec to Georgia, west to Kansas and Nebraska.
Edibility Rating    (3 of 5)
Other Uses    (2 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (1 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Moist Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Staphylea trifolia American Bladder Nut


http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Selso
Staphylea trifolia American Bladder Nut
Elaine Haug @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of shrub
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

Habitats

Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; Shady Edge;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Oil  Seed
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

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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:

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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 Plant Search

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Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Australia, Canada, North America, USA,

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 :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Euscaphis japonica Shrub3.5 -  LMHSNM11 
Staphylea bumalda Tree1.8 4-8  LMHSNM10 
Staphylea colchicaBladdernutShrub4.0 5-9 MLMHSNM111
Staphylea emodi Shrub3.5 8-11  LMHSNM002
Staphylea pinnataBladder NutShrub4.5 5-9  LMHSNM300

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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Expert comment

Author

L.

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.

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