a, a flower; b, fruit.
Bladder-nut (Staphylea), a very widely distributed genus of deciduous shrubs or small trees of rather elegant appearance, usually referred to the order Celastraceæ (see SPINDLE-TREE). The Common Bladder-nut (S. pinnata) is frequently planted in shrubberies, as is also the North American S. trifoliata. The wood of both is firm and white, well suited for the purposes of the turner. The seeds yield a good oil, and may be eaten, but act as a mild aperient. The flower-buds are pickled as capers. The name bladder-nut has reference to the curious inflated membranous capsule, and the hard bony testa of the seed. The name Staphylea is from the Gr. staphylē, 'a bunch of grapes,' and has reference to the racemed flowers.