Staphylea trifolia, the American bladdernut,[2] is native to eastern North America, from southern Ontario and southwestern Quebec west to Nebraska and Arkansas, and south to Florida.

It is a medium-sized shrub growing to 3.5 m (11 ft) tall.

[3] Its growth rate is medium to fast.

[citation needed] The leaves are opposite and divided into three leaflets, each leaflet 4.5–13 cm (2–5 in) long[4] and 5 cm (2 in) broad, with a serrated margin.

S. trifolia produces pendant white flowers in spring, which mature into bladder-like, teardrop-shaped fruits that contain 1-3 brown popcorn-like seeds.