wisteria

[ wi-steer-ee-uh ]

noun

1. any climbing shrub belonging to the genus Wisteria, of the legume family, having showy, pendent clusters of blue-violet, white, purple, or rose flowers.

wisteria

/ wɪˈstɪərɪə /

noun

1. any twining leguminous woody climbing plant of the genus Wisteria, of E Asia and North America, having blue, purple, or white flowers in large drooping clusters

Word History and Origins

Origin of wisteria¹

< New Latin Wistaria (1818), named after Caspar Wistar (1761–1818), U.S. anatomist; -ia

Word History and Origins

Origin of wisteria¹

C19: from New Latin, named after Caspar Wistar (1761–1818), American anatomist

Example Sentences

A venerable wisteria dripping with chains of purple blooms is breathtaking.

From Seattle Times

Proxenos said one of the things she likes best about her house is the wisteria, planted in 1998, that blossoms in the spring on some of the outside walls.

From Washington Post

"I think of wisteria, a falling down house, crazy women, lots of stuff that doesn't seem salient to me, but who the hell cares?"

From Salon

The area was heavily infested with many types of invasive plants; some of the Chinese wisteria vines were 6 inches in diameter.

From Washington Post

Twisted iron scrolls run up its center like wisteria vines.

From Literature