Staphylea

Staphylea is a small genus of flowering plants in the family Staphyleaceae, known commonly as bladdernuts. The plants are deciduous shrubs or small trees that are grown for their distinctive inflated, papery fruit capsules, which persist into autumn and give the species their common name.

The flowers are produced in clusters in spring and are typically small, white to pale green. The most striking feature of Staphylea is its fruit, a bladder-like capsule that splits open when mature to reveal one or more seeds. The foliage and growth habit are generally ornamental, and the plants are valued for their architectural form and unusual seed pods.

The genus comprises several species distributed across the temperate regions of Europe, Asia, and North America. Notable species include Staphylea pinnata (European bladdernut), Staphylea trifolia (American bladdernut), and Staphylea colchica (Colchic bladdernut). Collectively, the genus is described as Holarctic in distribution, with native habitats often in woodland edges, thickets, and moist areas.

In cultivation, Staphylea plants are used as ornamental shrubs in gardens and parks. They tolerate a range of soils but prefer moist, well-drained conditions and a sunny to partially shaded position. They are typically propagated by seed or cuttings and can provide winter interest through their seed pods. The genus has limited commercial agricultural use but is appreciated for its decorative fruit and early-summer flowers.