A small deciduous tree, 7m - 12 m tall, sometimes up to 18m, usually multi-stemmed with an erect, slender growth form. Bark on older trees dark brown and deeply fissured. Leaves smooth edged, unevenly compound with a terminal leaflet present. Asymmetric at the base. Deep shiny green above and dull green below. Flowers are pea-shaped, pale blue to violet in colour arranged in long drooping bunches. Bunches of flat non-splitting pods persist on the tree for a long time after flowering. An attractive, durable, heavy wood. From bright yellow to brown. Occuring in bushveld and wooded grassland. The Tree Wisteria thrives in a variety of environments but does not like cool wet summers.

This tree, being one of my favorites, seems to be a fragile and delicate tree but the appearance belies the facts. It occurs in gardens in South Africa which receives some moderate frost during winter, and it can survive long periods of drought. The wood of the tree is also borer- and termite resistant. The Tree Wisteria is certainly one of the most beautiful trees in southern Africa when in flower, and certainly rivals the Jacaranda (Jacaranda mimosifolia). Its biggest drawback is the fact that it is short-flowered. However, the neat growth form and glossy foliage makes this an attractive plant all year round. The roots and bark is used medicinally.

Seeds germinate easily and the growth rate rapid. For best results seeds should be soaked overnight in water (pour hot water over the seeds and let it stand until some of the seeds have swollen slightly). Germination is normally within a week but I've had cases where some seeds only germinated after 30 days. Germination rate is normally high - at least 80%. Seedlings do well in a sandy soil with some compost mixed in. I have noticed that the Tree Wisteria becomes pot-bound quite easily and after transplanting into soil it took quite some time before starting to grow. Under ideal conditions (hot summer with low rainfall) the tree will take on the mature shape within 4 years and will start to flower within 5 to 7 years. It is advisable to protect the young trees for the first two years. Final garden height should be around 7 m. Non-aggressive root system.

Wood
Potplant
Bonsai

Motsokaphal (Setswana)
Mogapa (Sotho)
Vanwykshout (Afrikaans)