Wisteria floribunda
System : Terrestrial
Kingdom
Phylum
Class
Order
Family
Plantae
Magnoliophyta
Magnoliopsida
Fabales
Fabaceae
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  • Management
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  • Foliage (Photo: J. Scott Peterson, USDA, NRCS, www.forestryimages.org)
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Common name
Japanese Wisteria (English, United States)
Synonym
Dolichos japonicus , Spreng. 1826
Kraunhia brachybotrys , (Siebold & Zucc.) Greene 1892
Glycine floribunda , Willd. 1802
Kraunhia floribunda , (Willd.) Taub. forma albiflora Makino 1911
Kraunhia floribunda , (Willd.)Taub. var. brachybotrys (Siebold & Zucc.) Makino 1911
Kraunhia floribunda , (Willd.) Taub. 1894
Kraunhia floribunda , (Willd.) Taub. var. typica Makino 1911
Kraunhia floribunda , (Willd.) Taub. var. pleniflora Makino 1911
Kraunhia sinensis , (Sims) Makino forma albiflora Makino 1910
Kraunhia sinensis , (Sims) Makino var. pleniflora Makino 1910
Kraunhia sinensis , (Sims) Makino var. brachybotrys (Siebold & Zucc.) Makino 1910
Kraunhia sinensis , (Sims) Makino var. floribunda (Willd.) Makino 1910
Millettia floribunda , (Willd.) Matsum. 1902
Phaseoloides brachybotrys , (Siebold & Zucc.) Kuntze 1891
Phaseoloides floribunda , (Willd.) Kuntze 1891
Rehsonia floribunda , (Willd.) Stritch 1984
Wisteria brachybotrys , Siebold & Zucc. 1839
Wisteria chinensis , DC. var. multijuga (Van Houtte) Hook.f. 1897
Wisteria chinensis , DC. var. macrobotrys (Siebold ex Neubert) Lavallee 1877
Wisteria chinensis , DC. var. flore-plena (Carri�re) W.Mill. 1902
Wisteria floribunda , (Willd.) DC. forma rosea (Bean) Rehder & E.H.Wilson 1916
Wisteria floribunda , (Willd.) DC. forma macrobotrys (Siebold ex Neubert) Rehder & E.H.Wilson 1916
Wisteria floribunda , (Willd.) DC. forma variegata (G.Nicholson) Rehder & E.H.Wilson 1916
Wisteria floribunda , (Willd.) DC. forma alba (Carri�re) Rehder & E.H.Wilson 1916
Wisteria macrobotrys , Siebold ex Neubert 1870
Wisteria multijuga , Van Houtte var. rosea Bean 1914
Wisteria multijuga , Van Houtte 1874
Wisteria polystachya , K.Koch forma alba (Carri�re) Zabel 1903
Wisteria multijuga , Van Houtte var. alba Carri�re 1891
Wisteria multijuga , Van Houtte var. variegata G.Nicholson 1887
Wisteria polystachya , K.Koch forma variegata (G.Nicholson) Zabel 1903
Wisteria polystachya , K.Koch forma multijuga (Van Houtte) Zabel 1903
Wisteria sinensis , (Sims) Sweet var. violaceo-plena C.K.Schneid. 1907
Wisteria sinensis , (Sims) Sweet forma violaceo-plena Rehder & E.H.Wilson 1916
Similar species
Wisteria sinensis, Wisteria frutescens
Summary
In its alien range, Wisteria floribunda is still used as an ornamental and often escapes from landscapes and becomes invasive in natural ecosystems. Wisteria floribunda infests forest edges and disturbed areas, including riparian zones and tolerates shade and a variety of soil types. In riparian areas, Wisteria floribunda spreads downstream as seeds float to new locations.
Species Description
According to Martin (2002), Wisteria floribunda is a perennial vine that can live for 50 years or more and can grow up to 38cm in diameter. Leaves are alternate and pinnately compound; they are up to 30cm long and consist of 13-19 leaflets. Flowers hang in clusters that sometimes exceed 40cm in length. Flower colour is usually blue-violet but other cultivars (which may be escaped plants) are white, purple, pink, and lavender. Flowers are usually produced from April to May in the United States. Seedpods are 10-15cm in length, hairy, brown, narrow at the base, and constricted between seeds. W. floribunda twines clockwise around host plants.
Notes
The seeds and pods of Wisteria floribunda are toxic if ingested and may cause nausea, vomiting, stomach pains, and diarrhea (Martin, 2002). Wisteria floribunda is not as widespread in the United States as its brother vine, W. sinensis, which has caused problems throughout the eastern U.S.
Uses
Wisteria floribunda has been commonly used as an ornamental since 1830 when it was first introduced (Remaley, 1999). Martin (2002) notes that it has been grown extensively in the United States for ornamental uses on porches, gazebos, walls, and gardens. Many alternatives to this vine exist, including American wisteria (Wisteria frutescens), Trumpet creeper (Campsis radicans), Trumpet honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens), Dutchman's pipe/pipevine (Aristolochia macrophylla), and Crossvine (Bignonia capreolata).
Habitat Description
Typically, Wisteria floribunda infests forest edges and disturbed areas (Martin, 2002). Remaley (1999) notes that it grows best in full sun but is shade-tolerant. W. floribunda can tolerate a variety of soil and moisture types but it prefers loamy, deep, well drained soils.
Reproduction
According to Remaley (1999), vegetative reproduction is the primary means of expansion for Wisteria floribunda. In its preferred habitat, however, seeds may be produced, and in riparian areas they may be carried downstream for long distances.
Pathway
W. floribunda is a popular ornamental (Martin, 2002).

Principal source: Exotic Wisterias (Remaley, 1999)

Compiler: National Biological Information Infrastructure (NBII) & IUCN/SSC Invasive Species Specialist Group (ISSG)

Review: Kristine Johnson Supervisory Forester Great Smoky Mountains National Park. USA

Publication date: 2005-01-24

Recommended citation: Global Invasive Species Database (2024) Species profile: Wisteria floribunda. Downloaded from http://www.iucngisd.org/gisd/species.php?sc=286 on 24-04-2024.

General Impacts
According to Remaley (1999), native shrubs are overtaken by W. floribunda through strangling and shading. Even larger trees can be killed by this vine, causing large gaps in the canopy when they fall; this open canopy furthers the growth of W. floribunda. This aggressive vine may form dense thickets allowing little else to grow.
Management Info
Physical: According to Martin (2002), current management approaches consist of mechanical and chemical methods. Mechanical methods should be used for small populations or where herbicides could damage desirable species. When cutting vines, cut close to the root collar to discontinue growth of existing vines and reduce seed production. W. floribunda will resprout, so it is recommended that the vine be cut repeatedly every two weeks from early in the growing season to autumn. Vines should be removed because they may continue to grow and girdle the host plant. Try to remove the entire plant (including roots) and dispose of all parts because any plant parts left can resprout.

\r\nChemical: Cut-stump herbicide applications should be used where there are large stands of established vines or where desirable plants occur and could be affected by foliar spray. Cut the vine close to the ground and apply glyphosate or triclopyr (25% solutions in water) to the cut area. If resprouting occurs retreatment may be necessary. This treatment is not effective if the ground is frozen. Foliar sprays should be used where mechanical controls would be disruptive and cut-stump methods are impractical, but additional precautions should be taken not to harm non-target species. Spray the foliage thoroughly, but do not apply so much that it drips off. Application may be more effective in warmer temperatures (above 15-18 C) because translocation is slower in cooler weather. Triclopyr is specific for control of broadleaved plants and may be beneficial if protection of valuable native grasses is of concern. Glyphosate is non-selective and should be used with care. Chlopyralid targets aster, buckwheat, and the pea family. However, chlopyralid can seep into groundwater in sandy and limestone soil types. Picloram may provide control in areas where desirable vegetation is not present.

Countries (or multi-country features) with distribution records for Wisteria floribunda
ALIEN RANGE
NATIVE RANGE
  • japan
Informations on Wisteria floribunda has been recorded for the following locations. Click on the name for additional informations.
Lorem Ipsum
Location Status Invasiveness Occurrence Source
Details of Wisteria floribunda in information
Status
Invasiveness
Arrival date
Occurrence
Source
Introduction
Species notes for this location
Location note
Management notes for this location
Impact
Mechanism:
Outcome:
Ecosystem services:
Impact information
According to Remaley (1999), native shrubs are overtaken by W. floribunda through strangling and shading. Even larger trees can be killed by this vine, causing large gaps in the canopy when they fall; this open canopy furthers the growth of W. floribunda. This aggressive vine may form dense thickets allowing little else to grow.
Red List assessed species 0:
Locations
UNITED STATES
Mechanism
[3] Competition
Outcomes
[3] Environmental Ecosystem - Habitat
  • [3] Reduction in native biodiversity
[9] Socio-Economic
  • [3] Damage to agriculture
  • [3] Modification of landscape
  • [3] Alteration of recreational use and tourism
Management information
Physical: According to Martin (2002), current management approaches consist of mechanical and chemical methods. Mechanical methods should be used for small populations or where herbicides could damage desirable species. When cutting vines, cut close to the root collar to discontinue growth of existing vines and reduce seed production. W. floribunda will resprout, so it is recommended that the vine be cut repeatedly every two weeks from early in the growing season to autumn. Vines should be removed because they may continue to grow and girdle the host plant. Try to remove the entire plant (including roots) and dispose of all parts because any plant parts left can resprout.

\r\nChemical: Cut-stump herbicide applications should be used where there are large stands of established vines or where desirable plants occur and could be affected by foliar spray. Cut the vine close to the ground and apply glyphosate or triclopyr (25% solutions in water) to the cut area. If resprouting occurs retreatment may be necessary. This treatment is not effective if the ground is frozen. Foliar sprays should be used where mechanical controls would be disruptive and cut-stump methods are impractical, but additional precautions should be taken not to harm non-target species. Spray the foliage thoroughly, but do not apply so much that it drips off. Application may be more effective in warmer temperatures (above 15-18 C) because translocation is slower in cooler weather. Triclopyr is specific for control of broadleaved plants and may be beneficial if protection of valuable native grasses is of concern. Glyphosate is non-selective and should be used with care. Chlopyralid targets aster, buckwheat, and the pea family. However, chlopyralid can seep into groundwater in sandy and limestone soil types. Picloram may provide control in areas where desirable vegetation is not present.

Bibliography
4 references found for Wisteria floribunda

Management information
Martin, Tunyalee. 2002. Weed Notes: Wisteria sinensis (Chinese Wisteria) Wisteria floribunda (Japanese Wisteria) . The Nature Conservancy: Wildland Invasive Species Team [Online database].
Summary: Detailed description, distribution, biology, similar species description, alternative ornamental plants, and control measures used.
Available from: http://tncweeds.ucdavis.edu/ [Accessed 16 April 2003].
General information
ITIS (Integrated Taxonomic Information System), 2005. Online Database Wisteria floribunda
Summary: An online database that provides taxonomic information, common names, synonyms and geographical jurisdiction of a species. In addition links are provided to retrieve biological records and collection information from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) Data Portal and bioscience articles from BioOne journals.
Available from: http://www.cbif.gc.ca/pls/itisca/taxastep?king=every&p_action=containing&taxa=Wisteria+floribunda&p_format=&p_ifx=plglt&p_lang= [Accessed March 2005]
Plants & Japan, Masashi Yamaguchi
Summary: Japanese plants.
Available from: http://homepage3.nifty.com/plantsandjapan/index.html [Accessed 24 September 2004]
Wunderlin, Richard and Hansen, Bruce. 2002. Wisteria sinensis Institute of Systematic Botany: Atlas of Florida Vascular Plants [Online database].
Summary: Detailed taxonomy and Florida distribution.
Contact
The following 0 contacts offer information an advice on Wisteria floribunda
Wisteria floribunda
Japanese Wisteria
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Recommended citation
(2024). Wisteria floribunda. IUCN Environmental Impact Classification for Alien Taxa (EICAT).