Cleomella arborea
Bladderpod
Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Cleomaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Cleomella arborea (Bladderpod) is a native California shrub in the Cleomaceae family, recognized by Only shrub in the genus (5--20 dm woody); 3-foliolate leaves, yellow flowers, inflated pods.
Bladderpod is a California native shrub found in dry, open landscapes at elevations of 100 to 1,000 meters. Flowering from March to May, this plant produces bright yellow flowers with petals 8 to 14 millimeters long arranged in racemes up to 30 centimeters long. Growing 1.5 to 2 meters tall with multiple branches and minutely hairy stems, it develops a densely branched structure. Its leaves are compound with three leaflets, each 15 to 45 millimeters long in an oblong-elliptic shape, creating a delicate green texture. The fruit is a distinctive inflated capsule 3 to 6 centimeters long, light brown and leathery, which becomes tardily dehiscent when mature.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Only shrub in the genus (5--20 dm woody); 3-foliolate leaves, yellow flowers, inflated pods
Habitat and range
California counties: Riverside, San Bernardino, Kern, Ventura, San Diego, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Los Angeles, Orange, Inyo, San Benito, Tulare, Fresno
How to tell it apart
vs Physaria: Physaria has inflated bladder-like pods and 4 petals; Cleomella has small flat round capsules and variable petals.; vs Astragalus: Astragalus has compound leaves and pea-shaped flowers; Cleomella has palmately divided leaves and regular flowers.; vs Sesbania: Sesbania has pinnately compound leaves and large pea flowers; Cleomella has palmate leaves and small regular flowers.; vs Atriplex: Atriplex has tiny greenish flowers and simple leaves; Cleomella has showy flowers and palmately divided leaves.; vs Isocoma: Isocoma has yellow composite flower heads; Cleomella has individual flowers with separate petals and prominent stamens.
Frequently asked questions
Is Cleomella arborea native to California?
Yes. Cleomella arborea is native to California (recorded as native).
Where in California does Cleomella arborea grow?
Cleomella arborea occurs in Riverside, San Bernardino, Kern, Ventura, San Diego, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Los Angeles and other counties.
What plant family does Cleomella arborea belong to?
Cleomella arborea is in the Cleomaceae family, genus Cleomella.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.