Wisteria frutescens (L.) Poir.

High-climbing vine; lfls 9–15, ovate-oblong or lance-ovate, 4–6 cm, acuminate, obscurely hairy beneath; racemes compact, 4–15 cm; pedicels 4–10 mm; axis, pedicels, and cal finely pubescent and also with some short-stipitate, oblong or clavate glands; fls blue-purple, 1.5–2 cm; cal campanulate, the upper 2 lobes broadly triangular to almost completely connate, forming an upper lip to about a third as long as the tube; lower lobes lanceolate, the median slightly the longer; blade of the wing-pet prolonged backward into a linear auricle about as long as the claw and ± parallel to it; fr glabrous; 2n=16. Moist or wet woods and river-banks; Va. to Fla. and Tex., n. in the interior to Ark. Late Apr., May.

It is a temperate plant. It suits hardiness zone 5. Arboretum Tasmania.

The fresh flowers are eaten in tossed salads. They can be dipped in batter and fried in oil as fritters.

Can be grown by cuttings or seedlings. Seeds needs soaking.