Clematis brachyura

Maxim.

Ranunculaceae Edible: Leaves Potential hazards — see below 37 iNaturalist observations

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Summary

A deciduous climbing vine reaching 1 m tall, hardy to UK zone 6. Flowers appear from June to August. The plant is hermaphroditic and pollinated by bees and flies. It thrives in light, medium, or heavy soils with good drainage, tolerating mildly acidic to very alkaline pH levels. Best grown in semi-shade or full sun with consistently moist soil.

Description

Edible Uses

Young leaves can be eaten but must be cooked. Some caution is advised due to known toxicity concerns in this species.

Traditional Uses

CAUTION: Most Clematis contain an irritant poison.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Medicinal Uses

None known.

Known Hazards

Although no reports of toxicity have been seen for this species, some if not all members of this genus are mildly poisonous. The toxic principle is dissipated by heat or by drying.

Distribution

It is a temperate plant.

Where It Grows

Asia, Korea,

Cultivation

Prefers a deep moist soil with its roots in the shade and its shoots growing up to the light. 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. A twining plant, the stems will often die right back in the winter. The leafstalks wrap themselves around twigs and branches for support. When a side of the stalk touches an object, the growth on that side slows down whilst the other side grows at its normal rate - this causes the leaf stalk to entwine the object it is touching. Flowers are formed from lateral buds produced the previous season. Any pruning should consist of removing any dead or weak growth in early spring and reducing the remainder down to the strongest pair of lateral buds. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus. 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 before sowing. 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 the 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.