Shrubs, rarely trees. Stems 1–10+. Leaves 3(–5)-foliolate [odd-pinnate]; stipules linear, papery; terminal leaflets long-petiolulate, laterals short-petiolulate or sessile; leaflet blades ovate to elliptic or obovate, base oblique, rounded, or cuneate, lateral ± asymmetric, apex ± acuminate to apiculate, glabrous or sparsely villous, densely when young; hairs unicellular. Thyrses 5–15[–25+]-flowered, on 2d-year wood, pedunculate, bracteate. Pedicels basally 2-bracteolate, with swollen point of disarticulation mid length. Flowers appearing before or with leaves, campanulate or cylindro-campanulate; sepals white or pale greenish pink to pale pink, petaloid, equal to or shorter than petals; petals white [pink]; stamens ± exserted, equal to or longer than petals; pistils short-stalked, stigmas (2–)3(–4)-lobed. Capsules brownish, ellipsoid or obovoid, trigonous, papery; carpels becoming distinct distally; sepals persistent; styles ± persistent. Seeds light brown, ± spheric. x = 13.

Distribution

North America, Mexico, Eurasia.

Discussion

Species 10 (2 in the flora).

Staphylea species are cultivated as garden ornamentals.

The two North American species of Staphylea differ in their floral biology: the flowers of S. trifolia are pinkish green (sepals) and campanulate with barely exserted stamens and styles; those of S. bolanderi are white and more tubular (cylindro-campanulate) with well-exserted stamens and styles. These differences appear to correlate with pollinators available in the eastern deciduous forest and in California, respectively.

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

Staphylea bolanderi, Staphylea trifolia

Key

1	Leaves abaxially ± villous; flowers campanulate; sepals pale greenish, greenish pink to pale pink to whitish; stamen filaments equal to or slightly longer than petals; filaments (basally) and pistils villous; capsules obovoid; e North America.	Staphylea trifolia
1	Leaves glabrous; flowers cylindro-campanulate; sepals white; stamen filaments longer than petals; filaments and pistils glabrous; capsules ellipsoid; California.	Staphylea bolanderi