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Wisteria floribunda - (Willd.)DC.

Common Name Japanese Wisteria
Family Fabaceae or Leguminosae
USDA hardiness 5-9
Known Hazards The seed of all members of this genus is poisonous[200].
Habitats Damp habitats by streams etc in thickets and woods in hills and mountains in all areas of Japan south of Hokkaido[58, 200, 249].
Range E. Asia - Japan.
Edibility Rating    (2 of 5)
Other Uses    (2 of 5)
Weed Potential Yes
Medicinal Rating    (0 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Moist Soil Full sun
Wisteria floribunda Japanese Wisteria


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Wisteria floribunda Japanese Wisteria
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Summary

Bloom Color: Blue, Lavender, Purple, White. Main Bloom Time: Early spring, Late spring, Mid spring. Form: Spreading or horizontal, Variable height, Variable spread.


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of climber
Wisteria floribunda is a deciduous Climber growing to 8 m (26ft) by 8 m (26ft) at a medium rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 4. It is in flower from June to July, and the seeds ripen from September to October. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects.
It can fix Nitrogen.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid and neutral soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Dolichos japonicus. Glycine floribunda. Kraunhia floribunda. Millettia floribunda. Rehsonia floribu

Habitats

Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; Shady Edge;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Flowers  Leaves  Seed
Edible Uses: Tea

Seed - cooked[105, 177, 183]. When baked in a fire they have much the same flavour as chestnuts[249]. Some caution is advised, see the notes on toxicity at the top of the page. Young leaves - cooked[105, 177, 183]. The tender young leaves are sometimes eaten and are also used a a tea substitute[249]. Flowers - cooked[105, 177, 183]. Used as a food in parts of China[249].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.


None known

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Fibre

The bark is used for making ropes and sandals[249]. The branches can be used as cables and also for making bridges, for which purpose it is said to be very durable[249].

Special Uses

Espalier  Food Forest  Nitrogen Fixer  Scented Plants

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Landscape Uses:Arbor, Espalier, Pollard. Prefers a good loamy soil in a sunny south or south-west facing position, sheltered from cold winds and from early morning sun on frosty mornings[11, 200]. Plants can become chlorotic on alkaline soils[200]. A soil that is too rich results in excessive foliage at the expense of flowering[200]. Although they are winter hardy to about -20°c[200], when growing in areas with cool summers the plants require the extra summer warmth of a sunny wall if they are to do well[184]. Plants can take a few years to settle down after planting out[219]. Too much shade or too rich a soil are normally the culprits, some form of root restriction can be beneficial[219]. A vigorous climbing plant, supporting itself by twining around shrubs and trees, though it also succeeds as a free-standing shrub, growing to about 2 metres in height. The shoots twine in a clock-wise direction[182]. This species is closely related to W. sinensis[50, 126]. Often grown as an ornamental plant, there are many named varieties[182, 200]. The flowers have a strong perfume which can be sweet or musty according to the variety being grown[249]. The plants flower mainly on short spurs so, if removing unwanted side-branches, it is best to cut them back to 2 - 3 leaves rather than removing them completely since this will encourage the formation of flowering spurs[249]. Any drastic pruning is best carried out in the spring, immediately after flowering[249]. Plants are very tolerant of even the most drastic pruning and will re-grow even if cut right back to the base[249]. Plants are self-fertile and usually produce good crops of seeds in cultivation, there are several cultivars such as 'Geisha' and 'Royal Purple' that are particularly good at this[249]. Plants in this genus are notably susceptible to honey fungus[200]. This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria, these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby[200]. The plants also form a symbiotic relationship with a mycorrhizal fungus which makes more water, phosphorus and other minerals available to the plants[249]. Special Features:Not North American native, Invasive, Naturalizing, All or parts of this plant are poisonous, Fragrant flowers, Blooms are very showy. For polyculture design as well as the above-ground architecture (form - tree, shrub etc. and size shown above) information on the habit and root pattern is also useful and given here if available. Woody. Growth habit is a single or multiple shooting vine from a crown [1-2].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

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Propagation

The seed does not exhibit any dormancy habits. It can be sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame and should germinate in the spring. Pre-soak stored seed for 24 hours in warm water and then sow in a greenhouse in early spring. The seed can also be sown in an outdoor seedbed in late spring[126]. Germination should take place in the first spring, though it can sometimes be delayed for another 12 months. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in a cold frame for their first winter. Plant them out in late spring or early summer. Plants are very slow from seed and can take up to 20 years to come into flower[200]. Basal cuttings of side-shoots in early to mid summer in a frame[200]. Take the cuttings as soon as the new growth has hardened sufficiently, each cutting should have 2 - 3 leaves[249]. It can also help to remove a shallow slice of bark from the bottom 15mm of the cutting to expose extra cambium, since this will encourage more callusing and better rooting[249]. When kept in a mist frame with a bottom heat of 27 - 30°c, they will root within 4 weeks and produce well-established plants by the autumn[249]. Layering in spring. Simply lay any convenient long shoot along the ground and cover it with a shallow layer of soil. The shoot will readily produce roots at intervals along the stem. When these are well formed, the shoot can be divided up into a number of plants. These should be potted up and kept in a lightly shaded position in a greenhouse until well established and can then be planted out as required.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

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Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Wisteria frutescensAmerican WisteriaClimber12.0 4-8  LMHNM103
Wisteria japonica Climber0.0 7-10  LMHNM10 
Wisteria sinensisChinese WisteriaClimber25.0 5-9 MLMHNM113
Wisteria venustaSilky WisteriaClimber10.0 4-8  LMHNM121
Wisteria villosa Climber0.0 -  LMHNM10 

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

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Expert comment

Author

(Willd.)DC.

Botanical References

1158200

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

Readers comment

EllenMcGrath-Thorpe   Sat Apr 26 18:33:07 2003

can this plant be grown in a container? thanks, Ellen

John Napolitano   Wed Sep 29 13:17:04 2004

In southern Maryland, I just cut down a Floribunda(and two of the three trees it was attached to) and it had hundreds of seed pods. Contrary to what I've read, most of them were 7-8 inches long, not six as had been generally indicated. I'll probably try to eat a few (roasted) and make necklaces from the rest. It was an impressive plant but one tree it had just begun to threaten was a beautiful American Hornbeam. Still Iam impressed with its tenacity and strength, and its symbiotic relationships. One stolon i uprooted was perfectly straight and perhaps 20 ft. long! Anyone want seeds?

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