Plant of the week: Wisteria

 

Name: Wisteria (Wisteria sinensis)

Otherwise known as: Stritch, Milletia

Habitat: A perennial woody climber of the Leguminosae family, growing up to 25m in slightly acid, moist soil, originally native to China but now naturalised throughout Europe. The plant is deciduous and displays small-toothed, opposed leaves on narrow stems and after a period of three years, if soil conditions are right, will produce beautiful racemes of scented purple, pale blue or white flowers. The flowers are followed by a soft, bean-like pod containing the seeds. All parts of the pod and contents are very poisonous.

What does it do: Wisteria is named after the American anatomist Caspar Wistar and contains the glycoside alkaloid Wisterin in the seeds and pods. The plant is probably best known for its dominant presence in the old houses and cottages of England, where, if not properly contained, it will invade the building fabric and ironwork and, once established, will create havoc.

There are many brilliant examples of Wisteria in Nicosia but if the soil conditions and location are not well chosen, the plant will not flourish. The soil must not be too rich, nor alkaline; Wisteria favours slightly moist, acid conditions and may take some time to establish itself. If incorrectly pruned, it will make masses of leaf growth but result in a disappointing floral display. The new stems should be pruned back to 10cm on the old wood every winter. One should be aware that sparrows have a predilection for the young flowering shoots and once found will feast on them and tell all their friends.

Wisteria appears in Chinese and Ayervedic medicine: it is a cardio tonic and diuretic as well as featuring as an essential oil used to relieve muscle tension and stress. The Chinese steep the flowers in sugar and coat them with flour to make fritters and the local delicacy ‘Teng Lo’; they also strip the bark to make a fine paper. The leaves, which contain allantoic acid, are made into tea in Northern China.

 

Next dangerous plant         Plumbago

 

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