Climbing shrubs. Leaf imparipinnate, leaflets entire, often stipellate; stipules small. Inflorescence a terminal, pendulous raceme, flowers blue or white. Bract caducous, bracteoles absent. Upper 2 calyx teeth short and subconnate, lower generally longer. Vexillum with 2 appendages above the claw. Wing free from the keel. Keel incurved, obtuse. Stamens mono or diadelphous, vexillary stamen free or connate with others in the middle, anthers uniform. Ovary stipitate, style glabrous, stigma terminal, small, ovules numerous. Fruit torulose, continuous inside. Seed reniform, estrophiolate.

A genus with 10 species, mainly distributed in China, Japan, Australia and N.E. America; locally represented by 1 cultivated species.

Lower Taxon

• Wisteria sinensis (Sims) DC.

Related Synonym(s):

• Glycine sinensis Sims = Wisteria sinensis (Sims) DC.