Chinese wisteria

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Chinese wisteria
• Chinese-glycine

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Wisteria villosa
• Wisteria sinensis var. alba
• Wisteria brevidentata
• Wisteria sinensis var. brevidentata
• Wisteria sinensis var. villosa
• Kraunhia sinensis
• Millettia sinensis
• Rehsonia sinensis
• Rehsonia brevidentata
• Rehsonia villosa
• Apios sinensis
• Wisteria sinensis f. alba
• Wisteria sinensis var. albiflora
• Wisteria praecox
• Glycine sinensis

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Fabales, it is classified under the family Fabaceae and is identified by the genus Wisteria.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant, Wisteria sinensis, displays a wide geographical presence across several European regions. In Middle Europe, it can be found growing in Germany. Moving toward the coast, its distribution extends through Southwestern Europe to include France and Spain. The species is also established in Southeastern Europe, specifically within the borders of Bulgaria. Finally, its range continues through the Mediterranean landscape of Italy.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Wisteria sinensis is characterized by its preference for lowland regions, where it thrives in well-drained, fertile soils under conditions of full sun to partial shade. As a vigorous woody climber, it occupies niches that allow it to utilize vertical structures, such as trees or man-made supports, to reach sunlight, often forming dense, sprawling canopies that can alter the light availability for understory vegetation. It is highly adaptable to various soil pH levels but performs optimally in loamy substrates with moderate moisture retention. This species is known for its competitive growth patterns, often outcompeting native flora in its established habitats due to its rapid expansion and ability to colonize disturbed lowland environments.

Habitat :

Lowland

Life history

The life history of Wisteria sinensis is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, allowing it to establish long-term presence within its ecosystem through repeated seasonal growth cycles. As a phanerophyte, it maintains its primary conductive tissues and buds well above the ground level, utilizing its woody climbing structure to reach sunlight. The plant follows a deciduous pattern, shedding its foliage annually in response to seasonal changes, which dictates its rhythmic cycle of vegetative growth and dormancy. This combination of a long-lived perennial lifecycle and a phanerophyte life form enables the species to develop extensive woody frameworks that support its climbing habit over many years.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Wisteria sinensis is characterized by a vigorous, woody growth form that functions as an obligatory climbing vine, or liana. As a terrestrial plant, it is entirely independent and does not exhibit epiphytic or parasitic behaviors. The plant displays significant vertical development, with a height range spanning from a minimum of 3 meters to a maximum of 30 meters, maintaining an average plant height of approximately 20 meters. Its structural integrity is defined by its woody nature, which supports its extensive climbing habit as it ascends toward sunlight.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

vine

Climber :

obligatory

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

30 m

Plant height mean:

20 m

Plant height min:

3 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Wisteria sinensis is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which governs its carbon fixation and energy production processes. The plant's vegetative structure features ovate leaf forms with entire margins, providing a smooth surface area for light interception. Notably, the foliage is devoid of defensive morphological structures, as it possesses no leaf thorns or leaf spines. Furthermore, Wisteria sinensis functions as a nitrogen fixer, engaging in a symbiotic relationship with bacteria to convert atmospheric nitrogen into a usable form, thereby enhancing its nutritional uptake and soil enrichment capabilities.

Leaf form :

ovate

Leaf margin :

entire

Leaf spines :

no

Leaf thorns :

no

Nitrogen fixer :

yes

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Wisteria sinensis is characterized by a specific seasonal flowering cycle and the production of distinct fruit and seed structures. The flowering period typically commences in April and extends through June, though the timing can be variable across different months. Following pollination, the plant develops elongated fruits, which possess a mean length of approximately 12.5 cm. The resulting seeds are highly uniform in size, maintaining a consistent mass of 0.46 g, which serves as both the minimum and maximum recorded mean weight for the species.

Flowering time :

Apr

Flowering time :

Jun

Fruit length mean:

12.5 cm

Seed mass mean:

0.46 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Wisteria sinensis has 1 reported plant parts identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include flower.

Flower

1. Iranian journal of pharmaceutical research : IJPR

Chemicals

Wisteria sinensis has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include spermidine.

spermidine

1. Iranian journal of pharmaceutical research : IJPR

Preparations

Wisteria sinensis has 1 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include dried flower powders.

Dried flower powders

1. Iranian journal of pharmaceutical research : IJPR