Chinese Wisteria, Wistaria, Purple vine
Wisteria sinensis

Family: Fabaceae

What it is like

A vigorous climber. It grows 12-18 m long. The trunks are twisted and gnarled. The twining stems turn woody. The leaves have leaflets along the stalk. There are about 11 alternate leaflets that are oval and untoothed. The leaves are mid to dark green. The flowers are mauve and hang in 30 cm long racemes. These are on small spur like growths. The flowers are pea shaped and droop. The pods are oblong and velvety.

There are 10 Wisteria species. The seeds and flowers are used in medicine. It can be invasive.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. It will grow in most soils. It is resistant to frost and drought. It suits hardiness zones 5-10. Arboretum Tasmania. Melbourne Botanical Gardens. In Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Australia, Britain, Central Asia, China (country/location of origin), Europe, France, Hawaii, India, Japan, Mediterranean, Myanmar, North America, Pakistan, SE Asia, Slovenia, Tajikistan, Tasmania, USA

How it is used for food

The flower buds are thoroughly boiled and washed in salt water and eaten with oil and salt. They can be parboiled or fried. They are folded into egg batter and made into fritters. They can be used in preserves and made into wine. The leaves are used as a substitute for tea.

Edible parts

Flowers, seeds

How it is grown

Many plants are grown from seed. Fresh seed germinate easily. They can also be grown from cuttings.

It is fast growing.

Its other names

Local names

Dišeča glicinija, Tengluo, Ziteng

Synonyms

Wisteria chinensis DC.; Glycine sinensis Sims;