Japanese wisteria
Wisteria floribunda (Willd.) DC.
Description from Invasive.org
- Appearance
- Wisteria floribunda is a deciduous, woody vine capable of growing to a height of 35 ft. (10.7 m). Stems can be up to 10 in. (25.4 cm) in diameter, with smooth, light gray to white bark. When looking down at the plant the vines twine around the host plant in a clockwise direction.
- Foliage
- Alternate, pinnately compound leaves (13-19 leaflets) are tapered at the tip with wavy edges. Leaves are up to 12 in. (30 cm) in length.
- Flowers
- Lavender, pink or white flowers are fragrant, very showy and abundant and occur in dangling clusters in the spring. Flowers clusters are 9-20 in. (22.9-50.8 cm) long.
- Fruit
- Seeds are contained within brown, hairy, flattened, bean-like pods. Although seeds are viable, vegetative growth is the primary method of spread for this invasive.
- Ecological Threat
- Invasions often occur around previous plantings. Wisteria floribunda can displace native vegetation and kill trees and shrubs by girdling them. The vine has the ability to change the structure of a forest by killing trees and altering the light availability to the forest floor. A native of Japan, it was first introduced into North America around 1830 for ornamental purposes.
Resources
- A Field Guide for the Identification of Invasive Plants in Southern Forests - USDA Forest Service
- Southeast Exotic Pest Plant Council Invasive Plant Manual - SE-EPPC
- Weeds Gone Wild: Alien Plant Invaders of Natural Areas - Plant Conservation Alliance
- Weed of the Week - USDA Forest Service
- Plant Invaders of Mid-Atlantic Natural Areas - National Park Service and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Selected Images from Invasive.org
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Infestation
John D. Byrd, Mississippi State University, Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
John D. Byrd, Mississippi State University, Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Infestation
John D. Byrd, Mississippi State University, Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
John D. Byrd, Mississippi State University, Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Damage Large vines (one with English ivy growing on it) girdling pines. Greenville, SC
Randy Cyr, Greentree, Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Randy Cyr, Greentree, Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
