Japanese wisteria (Wisteria floribunda, Prodr. 2: 390 (1825))

Family: Fabaceae

Author: (Willd.) DC.

Bibliography: Prodr. 2: 390 (1825)

Year: 1825

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Wisteria

Vegetable: False

Observations: SC. & S. Japan

Description

Japanese wisteria, scientifically known as Wisteria floribunda, is a highly regarded ornamental vine known for its breathtakingly beautiful cascading flowers and vigorous growth. Native to southern and central Japan, this member of the Fabaceae family was first described in botanical literature in 1825. Japanese wisteria thrives in temperate climates where it can fully showcase its luxuriant beauty.

The plant is characterized by its long, pendulous racemes that can extend up to 18 inches or more, creating an exquisite display of fragrant blossoms ranging in color from lavender-blue to white. These flowers usually bloom in late spring to early summer, delivering an impressive floral spectacle that attracts gardeners and nature enthusiasts alike.

Japanese wisteria’s twining vines can rapidly cover arbors, pergolas, and trellises, adding vertical interest and a touch of elegance to garden structures. It prefers a sunny location and well-drained soil to achieve optimal growth and flowering. However, it is essential for gardeners to take careful steps in managing this vigorous grower, ensuring it does not become invasive.

While the aesthetic appeal of Wisteria floribunda is undeniable, the plant also holds cultural significance in Japan, often symbolizing love, tenderness, and the beauty of nature. The enchanting and almost ethereal presence of Japanese wisteria continues to inspire and captivate people worldwide, making it a beloved addition to many gardens and landscapes.

Common Names

Eng: japanese wisteria
Por: glicínia, wistéria-japonesa
Swe: japanskt blåregn
En: Japanese wisteria
Ja: Fuji, Noda-fuji
Pt: Glicínia, Wistéria-japonesa
Sv: Japanskt blåregn

Synonyms

• Wisteria sinensis var. beni-fudsi (Siebold & Zucc.)
• Wisteria sinensis var. macrobotrys ((Siebold) Lavallée)
• Glycine multijuga ((Van Houtte) Clémenc.)
• Wisteria macrobotrys (Siebold ex Lemoine)
• Wisteria sinensis var. violacea-plena (C.K.Schneid.)
• Millettia japonica f. microphylla ((Makino) T.Yamanaka & H.Ohashi)
• Wisteria floribunda f. rosea ((Sprenger) Rehder & E.H.Wilson)
• Wisteria floribunda f. pleniflora ((Makino) J.Compton & C.Lane)
• Wisteria sinensis var. japonica (Sprenger)
• Kraunhia floribunda var. alba ((de Vos) Nash)
• Kraunhia sinensis var. floribunda ((Willd.) Makino)
• Kraunhia floribunda var. violacea-plena ((C.K.Schneid.) Nash)
• Wisteria floribunda var. longissima (L.H.Bailey & E.Z.Bailey)
• Dolichos japonicus (Spreng.)
• Glycine floribunda (Willd.)
• Wisteria floribunda f. variegata ((G.Nicholson) Rehder & E.H.Wilson)
• Dolichos polystachyos (Thunb.)
• Wisteria floribunda var. alba ((de Vos) L.H.Bailey & E.Z.Bailey)
• Glycine multijuga var. alba (de Vos)
• Wisteria floribunda var. violacea-plena ((C.K.Schneid.) L.H.Bailey & E.Z.Bailey)
• Wisteria multijuga var. rosea ((Sprenger) Bean)
• Wisteria koreana (Uyeki)
• Wisteria sinensis var. siro-fudsi (Siebold & Zucc.)
• Kraunhia floribunda f. albiflora (Makino)
• Wisteria floribunda f. macrobotrys ((Siebold) Rehder & E.H.Wilson)
• Wisteria floribunda f. violacea-plena ((C.K.Schneid.) Rehder & E.H.Wilson)
• Millettia japonica var. microphylla (Makino)
• Kraunhia sinensis var. pleniflora (Makino)
• Kraunhia sinensis var. albiflora (Makino)
• Kraunhia floribunda f. pleniflora ((Makino) Makino)
• Phaseoloides floribundum ((Willd.) Kuntze)
• Kraunhia floribunda var. macrobotrys ((Siebold ex Lemoine) Nash)
• Millettia floribunda ((Willd.) Matsum.)
• Wisteria polystachya f. multijuga ((Van Houtte) Zabel)
• Wisteria floribunda var. macrobotrys ((Siebold ex Lemoine) L.H.Bailey)
• Wisteria multijuga (Van Houtte)
• Glycine macrobotrys ((Siebold ex Lemoine) Jacob-Makoy)
• Wisteria grandiflora (G.Nicholson)
• Wisteria multijuga var. variegata (G.Nicholson)
• Rehsonia floribunda ((Willd.) Stritch)
• Wisteria floribunda f. multijuga ((Van Houtte) J.Compton & Thijsse)
• Wisteria multijuga alba ((de Vos) Carrière)
• Wisteria sinensis var. monstrosa (Sprenger)
• Kraunhia floribunda ((Willd.) Taub.)
• Wisteria sinensis f. rosea (Sprenger)
• Wisteria sinensis var. multijuga ((Van Houtte) H.Jaeger)
• Wisteria floribunda f. alba ((de Vos) Rehder & E.H.Wilson)
• Wisteria japonica f. microphylla ((Makino) H.Ohashi)
• Rehsonia nipponica (Stritch)

Distribution

• Japan (native)
• Alabama (introduced)
• Illinois (introduced)
• Korea (introduced)
• Maryland (introduced)
• Ogasawara-shoto (introduced)
• Tennessee (introduced)

Additional Images

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Flower

Taken Apr 22, 2020 by 彰 岡村 (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 15, 2021 by Zori 🌿🐝🌳 K (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 7, 2021 by Faust MaFa (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 15, 2015 by Annemarie Ahrens-Stehle (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 25, 2019 by 道子 高井 (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Apr 25, 2020 by Maya (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 6, 2020 by Ouvert Bourguignon (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 3, 2020 by Kateřina Milcová (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 9, 2022 by 🍀Marisol🍀 Brionvega (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 7, 2019 by Ian Barker (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Sep 23, 2022 by lee william (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 18, 2022 by gabin za (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 30, 2021 by bill maxwelk (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 22, 2022 by Jérémy RAYNAUD (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 19, 2022 by yasmine CARON (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Aug 20, 2022 by Julia (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 20, 2022 by Julia (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 21, 2022 by Antonio Abad Villalba Cano (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 30, 2022 by melinda steadman (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 13, 2022 by Maarten Vanhove (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Aug 10, 2022 by irina (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 22, 2022 by André (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 30, 2022 by Caw Vus (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 13, 2022 by Maarten Vanhove (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 15, 2022 by Dieter Albrecht (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Mar 26, 2022 by yvon s (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 26, 2022 by yvon s (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 26, 2020 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 26, 2020 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 26, 2020 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2977323)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:525791-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Wisteria floribunda (Willd.) DC.)

Specifications

Growth habit>: Vine

Growth