Japanese wisteria, Many-flowered Wisteria
Wisteria floribunda

Family: Fabaceae

What it is like

A climber which can grow 6-9 m long. It can climb over trees 20 m high. The leaves are light to mid green and composed of up to 19 leaflets. The flowers are violet-blue. The flowers are fragrant. The flowers are in drooping racemes 30 cm long. They taper along the length. There are several named varieties.

There are 10 Wisteria species. It can be invasive.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. It suits hardiness zones 5-10.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Australia, Canada, Central Asia, China, India, Japan (country/location of origin), Korea, North America, Tajikistan, USA

How it is used for food

CAUTION The seeds are poisonous to many animals. The young leaves and flowers are boiled and eaten. The flowers are thoroughly boiled, washed and eaten with oil and salt.

Edible parts

Flowers, leaves, seeds

How it is grown

It has creeping underground stems which can develop roots. It can also be grown from seed.

It is fast growing.

Its other names

Local names

Duohua Ziteng, Fuji

Synonyms

Dolichos japonicus Spreng.; Glycine floribunda Willd.; Kraunhia floribunda (Willd.) Taub.; Millettia floribunda (Willd.) Matsum.; Phaseolodes floribundum (Willd.) Kuntze; Rehsonia floribunda (Willd.) Stritch; Wisteria multijuga Van Houtte;