American Bladder Nut
Staphylea trifolia
Family: Staphyleaceae
What it is like
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.
Height (m): 4
Where it is found
Rich moist thickets along streams and the borders of woods.
Eastern N. America - Quebec to Georgia, west to Kansas and Nebraska.
Conservation Status:
Countries/locations it is found in
Australia, Canada, North America, USA,
How it is used
Food
Rating: 3
Seed - raw or cooked. They are eaten like pistachios. The seed can be used in place of walnuts (Juglans spp) in making chocolate-chip cookies. A sweet edible oil is obtained from the seed. It is used for cooking purposes.
Oil: Oil
Seed: includes nuts, cereals, peas and beans.
Medicine
Rating: 1
An infusion of the powdered bark has been used as a wash for sore faces.
Skin: Plants used in miscellaneous treatments for the skin.
Other
Rating: 2
Plants have dense underground root systems and are of some value in erosion control.
Oil: Vegetable oils have many uses, as lubricants, lighting, soap and paint making, waterproofing etc. This does not include the edible oils unless they are also mentioned as having other uses.
Soil stabilization: Plants that can be grown in places such as sand dunes in order to prevent erosion by wind, water or other agents.
How it is grown
Tolerant of a wide range of soils so long as they are not too dry, it prefers a rich loamy soil in full sun or semi-shade. A fast-growing but short-lived tree in the wild. The plants flower best in years that follow hot summers. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus.
Propagating it: 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, 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. Layering in July/August. Takes 15 months. Good percentage.
Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; Shady Edge;
Habit: Shrub
Hardiness: 4-8
Growth: Medium
Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)
Shade: Semi-shade, no shade
Moisture: Moist