rhizoverbBeta
DictionarywisteriaFlowering vine
noun

wisteria

wih-STEER-ee-uh/wɪˈstɪriə/

A climbing vine with hanging clusters of fragrant flowers.

Fragrant clusters of wisteria flowers hang over the garden gate.

Fragrant purple wisteria cascades from a climbing vine around a garden arbor; a subtle early nineteenth-century anatomist studies a specimen in the background, linking the namesake without labels.
Etymology
wisterEnglishCaspar Wistar, anatomist
+iaLatinnoun-forming ending

Wistar’s name combines with the noun ending -ia in a botanical tribute. Botanist Thomas Nuttall named the vine genus to honor anatomist Caspar Wistar, rather than to describe its flowers or climbing habit.

In context

The Sunday Gardener presenter0:00
Wisteria is a very vigorous climbing plant
How to make wisteria flower
Talks at Google20:42
Wisteria spills over the front of the house, it's pale violet
The Paradise Guest House | Ellen Sussman | Talks at Google

More examples

  • We train the wisteria to climb along a sturdy trellis.
  • The wisteria needs regular pruning to keep its growth under control.
  • Two wisterias bloom beside the porch each spring.

Forms

wisteria · wisterias