Clematis ianthina

Koehne.

Ranunculaceae Edible: Leaves Potential hazards — see below

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Wikimedia Commons - peganum from Henfield, England

Summary

A deciduous climbing vine reaching 4 m tall, hardy to UK zone 5. Flowers appear from July to September. The plant is hermaphroditic and pollinated by bees and flies. It adapts to 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

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. 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. Very closely related to C. fusca, differing mainly in its short-stalked flowers with small bracts and the more violet coloured flowers. A twining plant. 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. Plants flower on the current season's new shoots. They can usually be left unpruned, though weak or dead shoots can be removed and main shoots can be cut back by up to two thirds of their length if they are outgrowing their allotted area. 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 in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus. 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.