Scientific Name
Wisteria spp.
Common Name
Wisteria

TOXIC ONLY IF LARGE QUANTITIES EATEN.

Characteristics

Family
Fabaceae
Plant Description
Climbing, woody vines or shrub; leaves alternate, pinnately divided with 7-19 leaflets each with a smooth margin; flowers large, pea-like, in elongated, terminal, pendent clusters, white or most often blue or violet; fruit a hairy, flattened pod with a few seeds.
Origin
USA, NC, Asia.
Distribution
Piedmont and Coastal Plain.
Where Found
Forest or natural areas, ornamental vines native and exotic, escaped and naturalized species, weedy in disturbed areas, roadsides, waste areas; landscape used as vines and trained into tree form.
Mode
Ingestion.
Poisonous Part
Seeds.
Symptoms
Nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, diarrhea.
Toxic Principle
Wisterin, a glycoside, and a toxic resin.
Severity
TOXIC ONLY IF LARGE QUANTITIES EATEN.

Poisonous Plants of North Carolina, Alice B. Russell Department of Horticultural Science; Dr. James W. Hardin, Department of Botany; Dr. Larry Grand, Department of Plant Pathology, and Dr. Angela Fraser, Department of Family and Consumer Sciences, North Carolina State University. Designed by Miguel A. Buendia.

Disclaimer-- The list of poisonous plants on this web site does not necessarily include every poisonous plant that is known, or that might be found in an urban landscape or home. North Carolina State University does not advise eating any of the plants included in this web site. The information concerning edibility is taken from the literature, and the degree of reliability is unknown. We discourage the use of any of these plants for self medication. In cases of accidental exposure or ingestion, contact your physician or local poison control center. All Pictures Copyright @1997Alice B. Russell.

Previous Species, Home, Next Species