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Wisteria frutescens - (L.)Poir.

Common Name American Wisteria
Family Fabaceae or Leguminosae
USDA hardiness 4-8
Known Hazards The seed of all members of this genus is poisonous[200].
Habitats Clambering over cliffs and trees on woodland edges in low moist ground[235, 249].
Range South-eastern N. America - Virginia to Florida, Arkansas and Texas.
Edibility Rating    (1 of 5)
Other Uses    (3 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (0 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Moist Soil Full sun
Wisteria frutescens American Wisteria


Robert H. Mohlenbrock @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database / USDA SCS. 1991. Southern wetland flora: Field office guide to plant species. South National Technical Center, Fort Worth, TX.
Wisteria frutescens American Wisteria
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Wisteria_frutescensCDP083CA.jpg

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of climber
Wisteria frutescens is a deciduous Climber growing to 12 m (39ft 4in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5. It is in flower from June to August. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects.
It can fix Nitrogen.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid and neutral soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

W. macrostachya. Glycine frutescens. Bradlea macrostachya. Kraunhia frutescens. Kraunhia macrostachya. Kraunhia macro

Habitats

Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; Shady Edge;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Flowers
Edible Uses:

The fresh flowers are eaten in tossed green salads[183]. They are said to be excellent when dipped in batter and fried in oil as fritters[183].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.


None known

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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FOOD FOREST PLANTS

Other Uses

Nitrogen fixer.

Special Uses

Food Forest  Nitrogen Fixer

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Prefers a good loamy soil in a sunny south or south-west facing position, sheltered from cold winds and from early morning sun on frosty mornings[11, 200]. Plants can become chlorotic on alkaline soils[200]. A soil that is too rich results in excessive foliage at the expense of flowering[200]. Plants can take a few years to settle down after planting out[219]. Too much shade or too rich a soil are normally the culprits, some form of root restriction can be beneficial[219]. A number of named forms have been selected for their ornamental value[200]. Any drastic pruning is best carried out in the spring, immediately after flowering[249]. Plants are very tolerant of even the most drastic pruning and will re-grow even if cut right back to the base[249]. Plants in this genus are notably susceptible to honey fungus[200]. A climbing plant, twining in an anticlockwise direction around the stems of other plants[249]. This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria, these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby[200]. The plants also form a symbiotic relationship with a mycorrhizal fungus which makes more water, phosphorus and other minerals available to the plants[249]. Wisteria macrostachya (Torr. & A.Gray) Robinson & Fer is a synonym of Wisteria frutescens (L.) Poir. For polyculture design as well as the above-ground architecture (form - tree, shrub etc. and size shown above) information on the habit and root pattern is also useful and given here if available. Woody. Growth habit is a single or multiple shooting vine from a crown [1-2].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Propagation

The seed does not exhibit any dormancy habits. It can be sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame and should germinate in the spring. Pre-soak stored seed for 24 hours in warm water and then sow in a greenhouse in early spring. The seed can also be sown in an outdoor seedbed in late spring[126]. Germination should take place in the first spring, though it can sometimes be delayed for another 12 months. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in a cold frame for their first winter. Plant them out in late spring or early summer. Plants are very slow from seed and can take up to 20 years to come into flower[200]. Basal cuttings of side-shoots in early to mid summer in a frame[200]. Take the cuttings as soon as the new growth has hardened sufficiently, each cutting should have 2 - 3 leaves[249]. It can also help to remove a shallow slice of bark from the bottom 15mm of the cutting to expose extra cambium, since this will encourage more callusing and better rooting[249]. When kept in a mist frame with a bottom heat of 27 - 30°c, they will root within 4 weeks and produce well-established plants by the autumn[249]. Layering in spring. Simply lay any convenient long shoot along the ground and cover it with a shallow layer of soil. The shoot will readily produce roots at intervals along the stem. When these are well formed, the shoot can be divided up into a number of plants. These should be potted up and kept in a lightly shaded position in a greenhouse until well established and can then be planted out as required.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

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Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Wisteria floribundaJapanese WisteriaClimber8.0 5-9 MLMHNM202
Wisteria japonica Climber0.0 7-10  LMHNM10 
Wisteria sinensisChinese WisteriaClimber25.0 5-9 MLMHNM113
Wisteria venustaSilky WisteriaClimber10.0 4-8  LMHNM121
Wisteria villosa Climber0.0 -  LMHNM10 

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

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Expert comment

Author

(L.)Poir.

Botanical References

11200

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

Readers comment

David Beaulieu   Wed Jan 11 2006

Wisteria Vines Deciding between American, Japanese and Chinese Wisteria vines for the landscape.

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