Stems twining counterclock­wise. Leaves: leaflets (7 or)9 or 11(or 13), blades ovate-elliptic to obovate, 9 × 3.5 cm. Racemes to 33 cm; anthesis ± simultaneous. Pedicels to 3 cm. Flowers appearing before leaves, unscented; calyx middle lobe of abaxial lip to 6 mm; corolla azure, purple, rose, or white, 2–2.5 cm; banner 2.1–2.4 × 2.1–2.3 cm, reflexed at base, apex rounded, auricles of basal callosity 0.7–0.8 mm; wings 1.7–1.8 × 0.7 cm; keel 1.7–1.8 × 0.7–0.8 cm; ovary pubescent. Legumes flattened, oblong-elliptic or oblanceolate, 8–21 cm, tardily dehiscent, pubescent, endocarp readily separable from exocarp. Seeds flat, lenticular. 2n = 32.

Phenology: Flowering May–Jun.
Habitat: Abandoned home sites, wooded edges of low fields, disturbed bottomland hardwood forests, wet ground.
Elevation: 0–500 m.

Distribution

• Generated Map
• Legacy Map

Introduced; Ala., Ariz., Ark., Conn., Fla., Ga., Ill., Ind., Ky., La., Maine, Mass., Mich., Miss., Mo., N.Y., N.C., Pa., S.C., Tenn., Tex., Va., Asia (c, e China), introduced also in South America (Argentina), Australia.

Discussion

Wisteria sinensis is native to China, where it is common in moist, deciduous forests and riparian habitats from near sea level to 1000 m. Extensively cultivated as an ornamental in China, it is also a popular introduction in the eastern United States. In the flora area, it has become invasive, naturalizing readily in habitats similar to its native environs.

Petals of Wisteria sinensis are a delicacy in China, where they are eaten steamed or fried (D. Wyman 1949).

Wisteria sinensis differs from W. floribunda in having fewer leaflets per leaf (typically 9–11 versus 13–17 in W. floribunda) and in the counterclockwise (versus clockwise) twining of the stem.

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

None.