Staphylea

Description

Staphylea is a genus of flowering plants that belongs to the Staphyleaceae family. It consists of around 12 to 15 species of deciduous shrubs or small trees that are native to Asia, Europe, and North America. The common name for Staphylea is “bladdernut” due to its inflated seed capsules that resemble bladders.

Taxonomic Information

Domain	Eukaryota
Kingdom	Plantae
Phylum	Spermatophyta
Class	Magnoliopsida
Order	Crossosomatales
Family	Staphyleaceae
Genus	Staphylea

Appearance

Staphylea plants grow as deciduous shrubs or small trees that can reach heights of up to 15 feet. They have a spreading growth habit and produce alternate, elliptic to ovate leaves that are 3 to 8 inches long. The flowers of Staphylea are white, cream, or pink and appear in clusters during spring or early summer. The fruit of Staphylea is a bladder-like capsule that contains several seeds.

Care Guide

To care for Staphylea plants, it is important to provide them with adequate water, fertilization, soil, sunlight, and consider their hardiness zones. Staphylea plants prefer well-draining soils that are rich in organic matter. They thrive in full sun to partial shade and require regular watering during the growing season. Staphylea plants are hardy in USDA zones 4 to 8.

Common Pests & Diseases

Staphylea plants are generally resistant to pests and diseases. However, they can be affected by leaf spot, powdery mildew, and canker. Leaf spot is a fungal disease that causes brown spots on the leaves, while powdery mildew is a fungal disease that causes a white powdery coating on the leaves. Canker is a fungal disease that causes sunken lesions on the stems or branches of the plant.

Habitat

Staphylea plants are native to Asia, Europe, and North America. They grow in a variety of habitats, including woodlands, scrublands, and along riverbanks.

Question and Answer

Q: What is Staphylea’s common name? A: Staphylea’s common name is “bladdernut.”Q: How many species are there in the Staphylea genus? A: There are around 12 to 15 species in the Staphylea genus.Q: What are the common pests and diseases that affect Staphylea plants? A: Staphylea plants can be affected by leaf spot, powdery mildew, and canker.Q: What is the hardiness zone for Staphylea plants? A: Staphylea plants are hardy in USDA zones 4 to 8.

Related Plants

Here are some related plants to the Staphylea genus:

• Philadelphus
• Syringa
• Cornus
• Viburnum
• Hamamelis
• Fothergilla

References

– Missouri Botanical Garden. (n.d.). Staphylea. Retrieved from http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?taxonid=288699- University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture. (n.d.). Bladdernut. Retrieved from https://www.uaex.edu/yard-garden/resource-library/plant-week/bladdernut.aspx