Wisteria frutescens
(Texas Wisteria)
Wisteria frutescens, Mayfield Park, Austin, Travis Co. 2146
Wisteria frutescens, Mayfield Park, Austin, Travis Co. 2128
Wisteria frutescens, Wildflower Center, Austin, Travis Co. 3755
Wisteria frutescens, Wildflower Center, Austin, Travis Co. 2700
| Scientific Name | Wisteria frutescens | USDA PLANTS Symbol | WIFR |
| Common Name | American Wisteria, Texas Wisteria | ITIS Taxonomic Serial No. | 27021 |
| Family | Fabaceae (Pea) | SEINet Reference |
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| Description | Habitat: Moist areas in wood, along river banks; East Texas and east. Plant: High-climbing, woody, unarmed vine. Leaves: Pinnately-compound leaves, overall 4 to 12 inches long; 9 to 15 leaflets ovate to elliptic-lanceolate 1-1/4 to 2-3/4 inches long, pointed tips and rounded bases. Inflorescence: Large, drooping, compact racemes of many blue to purple, typical pea flowers; blossoms 5/8 to 7/8-inch across on short pedicels; very fragrant. Bloom Period: April and May. Reference: "Manual of the Vascular Plants of Texas" by Correll and Johnston and SEINet. Notes: The photos here are from cultivated plants but are believed to be the native W. frutescens species. They are similar to the introduced and widely cultivated species W. sinensis (Chinese Wisteria); differences are the number of leaflets 9+ vs 7 to 13, pedicel length 5 to 10mm vs 10 to 25 mm, and fruit and ovary smooth vs pubescent. |
BONAP Distribution Map Map Color Key |
Texas Status: Native |
Banner photo of Castilleja indivisa and Lupinus ssp. taken along FM 1323 north of Johnson City, Blanco County
© Tom Lebsack 2024