Practical
Plants

Clematis chinensis

Wei Ling Xian

a deciduous member of the Clematis genus in the family Ranunculaceae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Foliage
deciduous
Height
5 m
Spread
5 m
Fertility
Bees, Flies
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Bees, Flies

Uses

Toxicity

Toxicity warning. The historical record reports a hazard for this plant. Do not use it to decide which parts are safe to eat or use medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

This species is harmful if eaten[14]. The toxic principle is dissipated by heat or by drying[16]. The plant is also a mild skin irritant[14].

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Young shoots - cooked[7]. They are said to be non-toxic in one report[7] but caution is still advised due to reports of toxicity in this genus[14]. It is quite probable that cooking destroys the acrimonious principle, though this is a plant that I have no desire to eat[K].

Plant part
Leaves

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The root is anodyne, antidote, antiperiodic, antispasmodic, carminative, diuretic and sedative[3][5][6][11][14]. A decoction is taken internally in the treatment of rheumatism and arthritis, tetanus and cold-type stomach-ache[3][14]. The root is harvested in the autumn and dried for later use[14]. The whole plant is antirheumatic[3][5][6][11]. The plant has a history of folk use in the treatment of cancer[3][5][6][11]. The root contains anemonin, this has antibacterial, analgesic, sedative and antispasmodic actions. It also inhibits the heart and central nervous system and is rubefacient[5].

Product or use
Anodyne
Product or use
Antidote
Product or use
Antiperiodic
Product or use
Antirheumatic
Product or use
Antispasmodic
Product or use
Antitumor
Product or use
Cancer
Product or use
Carminative
Product or use
Diuretic

Ecology and functions

Ecosystem niche
Climber

Environment

Range
E. Asia - C. and W. China.
Habitat
Open woods, hedges, thickets, roadsides and banks of streams[1][3][14].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 6+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline, very alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame[4][9]. Sow stored seed as soon as it is obtained in a cold frame. Pre-soak the seed for 12 hours in warm water and remove as much of the tail and outer coat as possible[4]. A period of cold stratification is beneficial[4]. The seed germinates in 1 - 9 months or more at 20°c[4]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in a cold frame for the first winter. Plant out in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Internodal cuttings of soft to semi-ripe wood, late spring in sandy soil in a frame[9]. Layering of old stems in late winter or early spring[9]. Layering of current seasons growth in early summer[9].

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Prefers a deep moist soil with its roots in the shade and its shoots growing up to the light[4]. Dislikes poorly-drained heavy clay soils, but grows well in clay if grit is added for drainage[2][9]. Dislikes light sandy soils[2]. Does well on chalk[2]. Succeeds in acid as well as alkaline soils[9]. 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[9]. A twining plant[8]. 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[10]. Plants flower in the autumn on the current season's growth, any pruning is best carried out in the spring before new growth begins[12][14]. The flowers are produced quite late in the season and can be damaged by late frosts, so plants generally do better in the milder western parts of the country[12]. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[9]. Plants seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits[13]. A greedy plant, inhibiting the growth of nearby plants, especially legumes[15]. The flowers are often damaged by winter cold[2].

References

  1. Wilson. E. H. Plantae Wilsonae.

    ↩

  2. Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  3. ? A Barefoot Doctors Manual. Running Press ISBN 0-914294-92-X

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  4. Bird. R. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 4. Thompson and Morgan. 1990-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  5. Yeung. Him-Che. Handbook of Chinese Herbs and Formulas. Institute of Chinese Medicine, Los Angeles 1985-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  6. Stuart. Rev. G. A. Chinese Materia Medica. Taipei. Southern Materials Centre

    ↩1↩2↩3

  7. Reid. B. E. Famine Foods of the Chiu-Huang Pen-ts'ao. Taipei. Southern Materials Centre 1977-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  8. Thomas. G. S. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-7195-5043-2

    ↩

  9. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7↩8

  10. Craighead. J., Craighead. F. and Davis. R. A Field Guide to Rocky Mountain Wildflowers The Riverside Press 1963-00-00 ISBN 63-7093

    ↩

  11. Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. 1985-00-00 ISBN 0-917256-20-4

    ↩1↩2↩3

  12. Grey-Wilson. C. & Matthews. V. Gardening on Walls Collins 1983-00-00 ISBN 0-00-219220-0

    ↩1↩2

  13. Thomas. G. S. Perennial Garden Plants J. M. Dent & Sons, London. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0 460 86048 8

    ↩

  14. Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995-00-00 ISBN 0-7513-020-31

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7↩8

  15. Hatfield. A. W. How to Enjoy your Weeds. Frederick Muller Ltd 1977-00-00 ISBN 0-584-10141-4

    ↩

  16. Frohne. D. and Pf�nder. J. A Colour Atlas of Poisonous Plants. Wolfe 1984-00-00 ISBN 0723408394

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