Thursday 26 September 2013

MELBOURNE STREET TREES 45 - WISTERIA

I am stretching the term "tree" if I consider wisteria, a robust climbing plant, as a tree, but humour me in the name of poetic licence... Nevertheless, wisterias can climb as high as 20 metres above the ground and spread out 10 metres laterally.

Wisteria (also spelled Wistaria or Wysteria) is a genus of flowering plants in the pea family, Fabaceae, that includes ten species of woody climbing bines native to the Eastern United States and to China, Korea, and Japan. Some species are popular ornamental plants, especially in China and Japan. The botanist Thomas Nuttall said he named the genus Wisteria in memory of Dr. Caspar Wistar (1761–1818). Questioned about the spelling later, Nuttall said it was for "euphony", but his biographer speculated that it may have something to do with Nuttall's friend Charles Jones Wister, Sr, of Grumblethorpe, the grandson of the merchant John Wister.

Wisteria sinensis, shown here flowers in the spring (just before or as the leaves open). The flowers of this species are fragrant, and the seeds are produced in pods similar to those of Laburnum, and, like the seeds of that genus, are poisonous. Wisteria is an extremely hardy plant that is considered an invasive species in many parts of the world.

This post is part of the Floral Friday Fotos meme.






12 comments:

  1. They are beautiful towering. They also make excellent bonsai.

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  2. I dont suppose it will be looking like this any more! Did you enjoy the windy day?

    Stewart M - Melbourne

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  3. The wisteria frames walls so beautifully. I was fascinated last Sunday with all the lovely wisteria gracing Melbourne gardens along St Kilda Road.

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  4. Oh, I just love wisteria and what gorgeous color.

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  5. Oh, I just love wisteria and what gorgeous color.

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  6. This plant brightens up any location - it's intricate formation is breathtaking.

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  7. Gee. That's one abundant Wysteria. We have a couple at home but I have never been able to produce flowers like that.

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  8. OMG! Such a marvelous wisteria. Have never seen such a beautiful one. (They can survive here in sheltered places). Have a nice weekend.

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  9. Wow. That was something extra! My flower is a bit more...smallish... :)

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  10. Beautiful shots of this amazing "tree"

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