Staphylea trifolia

Bladdernut, American Bladdernut

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Family: Staphyleaceae

Mid-Atlantic bloom time: April

Bladdernut's most distinctive characteristic is the bladder-like shape of its fruits, hanging like small pale lanterns in its branches. Leaves are opposite and divided into three leaflets (looking disturbingly at first glance like Poison Ivy!), with each leaflet up to 10 cm long and 5 cm broad, with a finely serrated margin. The leaves are bright green in the spring, turning dark green in the summer.




25 June 2014
Scott's Run Nature Preserve, McLean, VA
25 June 2014
Scott's Run Nature Preserve, McLean, VA
7 October 2015
Riverbend Park, Great Falls, VA
7 October 2015
Riverbend Park, Great Falls, VA




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