Sierra bladdernut
Staphylea bolanderi A.Gray
Staphylea bolanderi, known as Sierra bladdernut, is a species of bladdernut native to California. It is found in the southern Sierra Nevada, the southern Cascade Range, and the Klamath Mountains. This shrub or small tree reaches heights of 2–6 m. It has deciduous leaves composed of three round or oval leaflets with toothed edges, each up to 6 cm long. The inflorescence is a drooping panicle of flowers with five white petals and five white sepals, and five stamens. The fruit is a bladder-like capsule up to 5 cm long containing smooth brown seeds.
Description
Staphylea bolanderi is a member of the Staphyleaceae family and is endemic to California. It grows in specific mountain ranges within the state. The plant is characterized by its trifoliate leaves and distinctive inflorescence. Its flowers have white petals and sepals, with prominent stamens. The fruit is notable for its inflated, bladder-like structure, which gives the species its common name. The species was first described in 1874 by A. Gray.
Other common names
Sierra bladdernut
Distribution
Global · California