American Wisteria

Wistwria frutescens

Flower name
American Wisteria
Scientific name
Wistwria frutescens
Alias藤, ウィステリア・フルテッセンス, American wisteria, アメジストフォール
Place of origin USA
Place of floweringGarden, Botanical Gardens, Bonsai, Potted flower
Flowering seasonMay
Language of flowersWelcome

What is American Wisteria

American Wisteria (Wisteria frutescens) is a climbing, deciduous shrub belonging to the Fabaceae family, native to the United States. It is also known by its scientific name, Wisteria frutescens. It grows naturally in the moist forests and along stream banks in the southeastern United States.

The "Amethyst Falls" variety of American Wisteria produces grape-like clusters of bluish-purple flowers in both spring and autumn. The vine reaches a length of 12–15 meters and has a dwarf cultivar height of up to 3 meters.

Japanese Wisteria
The Japanese Wisteria (Wisteria floribunda), native to Japan, grows vines up to 30 meters long with leaflets 5–10 cm long and flower clusters (racemes) reaching 30–200 cm (Kusakari Fuji). In contrast, American Wisteria is smaller. However, it can bloom compactly in small gardens and be used as bonsai. Unlike Japanese Wisteria, which blooms once in spring, American Wisteria can bloom twice, both in spring and autumn.

Common Name: American Wisteria
Scientific Name: Wisteria frutescens
English Name: American wisteria
Classification: Kingdom Plantae, Angiosperms, Eudicots, Order Fabales, Family Fabaceae, Genus Wisteria
Life Form: Small climbing deciduous shrub
Height: 3 meters (dwarf type)
Origin: USA, native to southeastern parts including Virginia and Florida
Habitat: Moist forests and stream banks
Vine Length: 12–15 meters, grows counterclockwise
Leaf Texture: Glossy, Color: Dark green, Shape: Pinnate compound leaves
Leaf Length: 10–30 cm, Leaflet Shape: Elliptic, Leaflet Length: 2 cm, with 9–15 leaflets per compound leaf
Blooming Period: April to May, July to September (blooms twice)
Inflorescence: Dense raceme, Length: 5–15 cm, Flower Diameter: 2 cm, Color: Bluish-purple, Shape: Butterfly and bilabiate, Fragrance: Yes
Seed Pod Length: 2.5 cm, Toxicity: Toxic to livestock due to saponin, causing gastrointestinal distress
Pests: Longhorn beetles, aphids, scarab beetles, scale insects, mealybugs, leaf miners
Usage: Bonsai, potted plants, container gardening, trellis training, garden trees
The photo shows the "Amethyst Falls" variety.