American wisteria
By LYNN ARTZ, SANDY TEDDER and DAVID RODDENBERRY
Most of us know the invasive Asian wisterias that were cultivated and escaped into natural areas they now harm. However, there is a less aggressive native alternative. American wisteria (Wisteria frutescens) is a high-climbing, deciduous woody vine with fragrant drooping 6-inch-long clusters of lilac-purple flowers. The flower clusters are shorter and denser than Asian wisterias and appear after the leaves emerge. Further, the mature brown seed pods are smooth, not hairy, and American wisteria climbs by twining counterclockwise. American wisteria occurs naturally in moist woods and along riverbanks. It is a larval food for many skippers, butterflies, and moths. American wisteria can be grown on arbors and columns as was done in Sopchoppy Depot Park. It requires regular pruning for flowering as it blooms only on new wood.
