Bladdernut
Staphylea colchica
Family: Staphyleaceae
What it is like
Staphylea colchica is a deciduous Shrub growing to 4 m (13ft) by 4 m (13ft) at a medium rate. 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 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
Forests to 1200 metres.
W. Asia - S.W. Caucasus.
Conservation Status:
Countries/locations it is found in
How it is used
Food
Rating: 1
Flower buds. No further details are given.
Oil: Oil
Medicine
Rating: 1
Purgative.
Purgative: A drastic laxative causing a cleansing or watery evacuation of the bowels, usually with a griping pain.
Other
Rating: 1
An oil from the seed tastes like pistachio nuts but is purgative. The report did not say if the oil had other uses.
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.
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. Fairly fast-growing when young, but slowing with age. Flowers 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: 5-9
Growth: Medium
Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)
Shade: Semi-shade, no shade
Moisture: Moist