Wisteria sinensis
Chinese Wisteria
5 to 8
China (Not as hardy as W. floribunda)

Vigorous, stout, twining vine
Growing to a height of 20-30 feet
Flowers are blue-violet, 1 inch across, slightly fragrant, borne in a pendant raceme, growing 6-12 inches long, very showy.

Chinese wisteria flowers open all at once on the raceme while those of the Japanese wisteria, (Wisteria floribunda) open progressive down toward the tip.

Late May
Leaves are alternate, pinnately compound with 7-13 leaflets, each being oblong, 2-3 inches long, with an abruptly acuminate apex and entire margins.
Fall color is nonexistent.
 
Stems are light brown, twining left to right (right to left in W. floribunda).
Fruit is a densely velvety, brownish pod, 4-6 inches long, ripening in October The seeds are poisonous if eaten.
 
 
  • W. sinensis alba - white flowers
Named in honor of Dr Caspar Wistar even though the spelling is slightly different.

 

 
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