Chinese wisteria
Wisteria sinensis (Sims) DC.
Description from Invasive.org
- Appearance
- Wisteria sinensis is a deciduous woody vine capable of growing to a height of 40 ft. (12.2 m). Stems can be up to 10 in. (25.4 cm) in diameter with smooth, gray-brown bark. When looking down on the vine, it twines in a counter clockwise direction around the host.
- Foliage
- Alternate, pinnately compound (7-13 leaflets) leaves are tapered at the tip with wavy edges. Leaflets are approximately 3 in. (7.6 cm) in length.
- Flowers
- Lavender, purple or white flowers are fragrant, very showy and abundant and occur in long, dangling clusters in the spring, 6-12 inches long.
- Fruit
- Seeds are contained in flattened, hairy, 6 in. (15.2 cm) long, bean-like pods. Invasions often occur around previous plantings.
- Ecological Threat
- Wisteria sinensis 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 China, it was first introduced into the United States in 1816 for ornamental purposes.
Resources
- A Field Guide for the Identification of Invasive Plants in Southern Forests - USDA Forest Service
- Florida National Forests Invasive Plant Series - USDA Forest Service
- Weeds Gone Wild: Alien Plant Invaders of Natural Areas - Plant Conservation Alliance
- Weed of the Week - USDA Forest Service
- Invasive Species Management Plans for Florida - University of Florida - Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants
- Plant Invaders of Mid-Atlantic Natural Areas - National Park Service and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Selected Images from Invasive.org
View All Images at Invasive.org
Flower(s)
James R. Allison, Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
James R. Allison, Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Plant(s) Large vine climbing up a tree
Chris Evans, University of Illinois, Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Chris Evans, University of Illinois, Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Infestation
David J. Moorhead, University of Georgia, Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
David J. Moorhead, University of Georgia, Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Feature(s) Stems
Chris Evans, University of Illinois, Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Chris Evans, University of Illinois, Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Damage Vines girdling pine
Chris Evans, University of Illinois, Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Chris Evans, University of Illinois, Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Fruit(s) September
James H. Miller & Ted Bodner, Southern Weed Science Society, Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
James H. Miller & Ted Bodner, Southern Weed Science Society, Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Flower(s) Chinese Wisteria in Loblobby Pines
Randy Westbrooks, Invasive Plant Control, Inc., Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Randy Westbrooks, Invasive Plant Control, Inc., Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
