Species › Plants › American Wisteria

American Wisteria

Wisteria frutescens

UncommonPlant
Illustration of American Wisteria (Wisteria frutescens)

American Wisteria is a native twining vine distinct from the invasive Asian wisterias, producing shorter clusters of fragrant purple-blue flowers in spring and often reblooming through summer. Native to the southeastern United States, it grows along stream banks and forest edges. Unlike its invasive Asian cousins, American Wisteria is well-behaved and does not girdle trees or aggressively escape cultivation. It attracts bumblebees and is a host plant for long-tailed skipper caterpillars.

Habitat
Found along stream banks, forest edges, and bottomland thickets in the southeastern United States.
Diet
Flowers provide nectar for bumblebees; host plant for long-tailed skipper and silver-spotted skipper caterpillars.
How common
Uncommon

Best time to see a American Wisteria

The best time to see a American Wisteria is April–May, when about 64% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 981 research-grade iNaturalist observations.

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