American bladdernut facts for kids
Quick facts for kids American bladdernut |
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| Genus: |
Staphylea
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| Species: |
trifolia
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The American bladdernut (Staphylea trifolia) is a fascinating plant native to eastern North America. You can find it growing from southern Ontario and southwestern Quebec in Canada, west to Nebraska and Arkansas, and all the way south to Florida in the United States. Sometimes, people choose to plant it in their gardens because it makes a beautiful ornamental plant.
Contents
Discover the American Bladdernut
What Does the American Bladdernut Look Like?
The American bladdernut is a medium-sized shrub, which is like a large bush. It can grow up to about 3.5 meters (that's about 11.5 feet) tall. It grows at a medium to fast speed, so it won't take too long to get big!
Its leaves are quite special. They grow opposite each other on the stem and are divided into three smaller leaflets. Each leaflet is usually about 4.5 to 13 centimeters long and up to 5 centimeters wide. The edges of the leaves are serrated, meaning they have tiny, tooth-like bumps. In the spring, these leaves are a bright green color, and they turn a darker green as summer arrives.
Flowers and Fruits
In the springtime, the American bladdernut produces lovely white flowers that hang down in clusters. After the flowers bloom, they turn into unique, bladder-like fruits. These fruits are shaped like teardrops. Inside each fruit, you will find 1 to 3 brown seeds that look a bit like popcorn. Some people believe these "nuts" can be eaten.
Where Does This Plant Grow?
This plant is found naturally across a wide area of eastern North America. Its native range stretches from the Great Lakes region down to the southeastern United States. It grows well in many different environments within this large area.
