Staphylea colchica
Colchris Bladdernut
Other Common Names: Causasian Bladdernut

Family:

Staphyleaceae (Bladdernut Family) 2

Genus:

Staphylea (Bladdernut) 2

Plant Type:

Shrub 468

Growth Forms:

Suckering / Colonizing 36

Hardiness:

USDA Zone 4 517

Deciduous / Evergreen:

Deciduous 838

Flower Notes:

White (Greenish white)

Foliage Notes:

Green; Yellow (Pale yellow fall color)

Fruit Notes:

Green;brown (Pale green while unripe)

Ultimate Height:

6-10 feet

Ultimate Spread:

6-10 feet

Light Requirements:

Soil Notes:

Well-drained average soils

Range:

Caucasus; Eurasia

Diagnostic Characteristics:

Leaves are opposite, pinnately compound, 5 leaflets (3's), ovate, acuminate, sharply and unequally serrate, 2-4" in length, pubescent beneath, glabrous, and middle leaflet long-stalked. Flowers are greenish white, perfect, bell-shaped, 1/2" in length, borne on panicles, 2 1/2-3" (5") in length, and blooms mid April-May. Fruits are 2-3 lobed, inflated capsule-like, pale green while unripe, brown when ripe, and 2 1/2-3" in length. Seeds are yellowish brown at 1/3" in length.

Special Characteristics:

Flowering Characteristics 289

Fruiting Characteristics 117

Additional Information

The Colchris Bladdernut is a medium sized shrub, native to the Eurasian Caucasus mountain system, in eastern Europe. Its flowers are white, bell-shaped, and very fragrant, reminding one of orange-blossoms. Its fruit gives this plant its common name, appearing as an inflated capsule. This shrub tends to sucker once established.