Definition

A type of climbing plant known for its beautiful, hanging clusters of purple or blue flowers.

Example

The garden was filled with the lovely scent of wisteria in bloom.

Conversation

Have you ever seen a wistaria plant in bloom?

No, I haven't! What do they look like?

They're beautiful, with long clusters of purple flowers.

That sounds amazing! I need to find one to see.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Wistaria (or Wisteria) is derived from the name of the American physician Caspar Wistar, with the suffix '-ia' used in botanical nomenclature to denote a genus. The word does not have traditional Latin or Greek roots but is a proper noun turned into a botanical term.

Memory Tip

Think of the name 'Wistar' as a way to remember that 'wistaria' is named after a person, specifically a physician, and the '-ia' ending indicates it belongs to a genus of plants.

Visually Confused Words