Information About American Bladdernut

American bladdernut is a large, native, under story shrub, often forming thickets in undisturbed landscapes. Beautiful clusters of drooping, tubular white flowers appear in early spring, followed by unusual bladder-like seed pods, which are persistent long into the winter months.

What is a Bladdernut tree?
How do you propagate a Bladdernut?
Is American Bladdernut edible?
How do you grow American Bladdernuts from seed?
How are barberries dispersed?

What is a Bladdernut tree?

Staphylea trifolia, or American Bladdernut, is a fast-growing, upright, deciduous, perennial, flowering shrub or small tree that can attain a height and width of 15 feet. In nature, it can be found growing in nutrient-rich bottomland forests, extending upslope over calcareous or mafic rocks.

How do you propagate a Bladdernut?

They can be propagated from seed, cuttings taken in early July and removed suckers. For better germination rate, it is recommended to soak the seeds in sulfuric acid then stratify for 3 months in cold to break dormancy. A large shrub to small tree native to the Sierra Nevada's Mountains in California.

Is American Bladdernut edible?

Staphylea trifolia - "American bladdernut" - edible seeds are eaten raw or cooked; similar to pistachios, also can be pressed for a sweet oil. Medium Shrub - grows in dappled sun. Blooms in May through June and fruit matures in September to October.

How do you grow American Bladdernuts from seed?

Germination Instructions

After scarification, place seeds in sandwich bag(s) with a bit of damp sand or vermiculite to keep moist.
Warm stratify for 180 days.
Next cold stratify. Place the bag(s) with seeds in refrigerator for about 90 days.
This species is well known to have a slow and sporadic germination.

How are barberries dispersed?

Dispersal of common barberry seeds by birds and cattle is likely important to the distribution of shrubs in pastures, along fence lines, and in open woods and riparian areas (see Seed dispersal).