Wisteria

​SCIENCE CONCEPT
Wisterias look like feature clusters of 9-13 oval-shaped leaflets, which are usually bronze or copper when young and mature to bright green. Chinese wisteria blooms in early spring to early summer with violet, blue violet, or reddish-violet flowers. The scientific name of the wisteria is wisteria frutescens. They do best in well-drained, fertile soil, in full sun in China, Japan, and eastern United States. There are three types of wisteria: wisteria floribunda (Japanese wisteria), wisteria sinensis (Chinese wisteria), and wisteria brachybotrys (silky wisteria). They hang as velvety seed pod vines. The seed pods and seeds are considered the most toxic parts of the plant, but all parts contain the harmful chemicals lectin and wisterin, which can cause a burning sensation in the mouth, stomach pain, vomiting, and diarrhea if swallowed.
APPLICATION
The wisteria’s leaves and flowers can be used as a tea substitute. In addition, the fibers from its stems can be used to make paper. While the seed pods and seeds remain harmful to humans, the flowers are edible in moderation. It also is thought to represent good luck, kindness, and longevity. Butterflies and native pollinators are attracted to the wisteria. It is used in the treatment of heart ailments. One report says that the stems and flowers are also used in Chinese medicine, but gives no more information. It is also said it gives no harm to humans to touch. ​
​CAREER
People who study wisteria are called botanists, since wisterias are plants. Botanists get paid about 49k-110k in salary.com. Something that the wisteria botanists have discovered are the benefits of soil the wisteria has. Once grown, the vine will make your garden beautiful. Wisteria is a purple vine that grows on trees. Its scientific name is wisteria sinensis.
​SCIENTIST
Thomas Nuttall, a wisteria studier, was born in the village of Long Preston, near Settle in the West Riding of Yorkshire. After wisteria was found, Thomas Nuttall named it after his friend, Caspar Wistar. After he married, Thomas’s name was changed to Thomas Forrester. He died on September 10th, 1859 in the United kingdom. Thomas lived to 73 years old.