Bladdernuts

Bladdernuts are a group of plants belonging to the genus Colutea, native to southern Europe, North Africa, and Asia. They are deciduous shrubs, typically growing to about 1 to 5 meters in height. The most distinctive feature of bladdernuts is their inflated, papery seed pods, which resemble bladders. These pods are often translucent and can be green or reddish-brown when mature, eventually drying out and splitting open to release their seeds.

The leaves of bladdernuts are pinnately compound, meaning they are made up of several smaller leaflets arranged along a central stem. The flowers are pea-like, usually yellow or orange in color, and bloom during the spring and summer months. They are typically borne in racemes or panicles.

Bladdernuts are generally hardy plants, tolerating a range of soil conditions but preferring well-drained soil and full sun. They are often found in arid or semi-arid regions, growing in rocky slopes, open woodlands, and along roadsides. Due to their drought tolerance and ornamental seed pods, some species are cultivated as ornamental shrubs in gardens. The common name "bladdernuts" directly refers to the characteristic inflated seed pods.