Practical
Plants

Clematis recta

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
perennial
Woodiness
woody
Height
1.5 m
Spread
0.6 m
Flower type
hermaphrodite

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.

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[12].

Edible uses

Young shoot tips - cooked or pickled[3]. Some caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity.

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.

The flowers and leaves are diaphoretic, diuretic and rubefacient[10]. They are taken both internally and externally in the treatment of syphilitic, cancerous and other foul ulcers[10]. Caution is advised since this is a poisonous plant[10]. A homeopathic remedy is made from the plant. It is used in the treatment of rheumatism and skin eruptions[9].

Product or use
Diaphoretic
Product or use
Diuretic
Product or use
Homeopathy
Product or use
Rubefacient

Ecology and functions

Ecosystem niche
Climber

Environment

Range
S. and E. Europe.
Habitat
Scrub, forest, river valleys and sunny hills[13][5].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
no shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 3+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame[2][6]. 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[2]. A period of cold stratification is beneficial[2]. The seed germinates in 1 - 9 months or more at 20°c[2]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in a cold frame for their 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[6]. Layering of old stems in late winter or early spring[6]. Layering of current seasons growth in early summer[6].

Cultivation

Succeeds in any soil in full sun[5][6], but prefers a fertile sandy loam[6]. Dislikes poorly-drained heavy clay soils, but grows well in clay if grit is added for drainage[1][6]. Does well on chalk. Dislikes winter wet[6]. Succeeds in acid as well as alkaline soils[6]. Plans are hardy to about -25°c[5]. A twining plant[4]. 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[7]. There are some named forms, selected for their ornamental value[8]. 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[6]. Plants seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits[8]. A greedy plant, inhibiting the growth of nearby plants, especially legumes[11].

References

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

    ↩

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  3. Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984-00-00 ISBN 3874292169

    ↩

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

    ↩

  5. Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Perennials Volumes 1 and 2. Pan Books 1991-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30936-9

    ↩1↩2↩3

  6. 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↩9↩10

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

    ↩

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

    ↩1↩2

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

    ↩

  10. Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9

    ↩1↩2↩3

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

    ↩

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

    ↩

  13. Komarov. V. L. Flora of the USSR. Israel Program for Scientific Translation 1968-00-00

    ↩

Edit this page