Bladder Nut
Staphylea pinnata
Family: Staphyleaceae
What it is like
Staphylea pinnata is a deciduous Shrub growing to 4.5 m (14ft) by 4.5 m (14ft). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 6. 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 Flies. 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): 4.5
Where it is found
Hedgerows and copses.
Europe. Naturalized in Britain.
Conservation Status:
Countries/locations it is found in
Asia, Australia, Britain, Caucasus, Europe, Georgia, Germany, Hungary, Mediterranean,
How it is used
Food
Rating: 3
Seed - raw. Said to taste like pistachios, the seeds are eaten by children in Germany.
Seed: includes nuts, cereals, peas and beans.
Medicine
Rating: 0
Other
Rating: 0
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. Prefers a neutral to acid soil but tolerates some alkalinity. A very ornamental plant, it is hardy to about -20°c. 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. Plants sometimes produce suckers, these can be removed in the dormant season and planted out.
Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; Shady Edge;
Habit: Shrub
Hardiness: 5-9
Growth:
Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)
Shade: Semi-shade, no shade
Moisture: Moist
Things to keep in mind
Its other names
Local names
Klokocs, Nezcoupe,