Clematis terniflora

What to Eat

Edible parts: Flowers, Leaves

Young shoots must be cooked before eating — they are first parboiled, then eaten boiled or oil-roasted. Some caution is advised due to known toxicity concerns in this species. Young buds (whether flower or leaf buds is uncertain) are similarly prepared by parboiling, then eaten boiled or oil-roasted, or preserved by pickling in vinegar. Flowers are also noted as edible, though no further preparation details are given.

Known Hazards

Where to Find It

It is a temperate plant. In China it grows from near sea level to 800 m above sea level. It suits hardiness zones 6-10.

Asia, Australia, China, Japan, Korea, Mongolia, North America, Russia, Siberia, Taiwan,

How to Identify

A scrambling woody vine. It keeps growing from year to year. The leaves have leaflets along the stalk. There are 3-5 leaflets. They are 10 cm long and deep green.

How to Grow

Prefers a deep moist soil in a sunny position. Dislikes poorly-drained heavy clay soils, but grows well in clay if grit is added for drainage. Dislikes light sandy soils. Does well on chalk. Succeeds in acid as well as alkaline soils. This species has the potential to spread from cultivation in areas where it has been introduced and could become problematic. When planting out, in order to avoid the disease 'clematis wilt', it is best to plant the rootball about 8cm deeper in the soil. This will also serve to build up a good root crown of growth buds. Plants seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits. A greedy plant, inhibiting the growth of nearby plants, especially legumes.

Propagation: Sow seed fresh in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe; stored seed should also be sown in a cold frame as soon as it is obtained. Pre-soak seed for 12 hours in warm water and remove as much of the tail and outer coat as possible. Cold stratification is beneficial. Germination occurs in 1–9 months or more at 20°c. Prick seedlings out into individual pots when large enough to handle and grow on in a cold frame through their first winter. Plant out in late spring or early summer after the last expected frosts. Take internodal cuttings of soft to semi-ripe wood in late spring, rooted in sandy soil in a frame. Propagate also by layering old stems in late winter or early spring, or by layering the current season's growth in early summer.

Medicinal Uses

The plant is used as an antidote, antiscrofulatic, and ophthalmic remedy. It is used specifically in the treatment of corneal opacities.

Other Uses

Grown as an ornamental, though it is a vigorous climber and can become invasive, so it should be planted with care.

Clematis terniflora (sweet autumn clematis, sweet autumn virginsbower) is a plant in the buttercup family, Ranunculaceae. It is native to northeastern Asia (China, Japan, Korea, Mongolia, Siberia and Taiwan). It was introduced into the United States in the late 1800s as an ornamental garden plant, and has naturalized in many of the eastern states. It is considered a Category II invasive plant in north and central Florida and some other eastern states, meaning it is invading native plant communities but is not yet seen as displacing native species.

Notes

There are about 250 Clematis species.

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