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Clematis recta - L.

Common Name Ground virginsbower
Family Ranunculaceae
USDA hardiness 3-7
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[65].
Habitats Scrub, forest, river valleys and sunny hills[74, 187].
Range S. and E. Europe.
Edibility Rating    (1 of 5)
Other Uses    (0 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (1 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Moist Soil Full sun
Clematis recta Ground virginsbower


http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Clematis_recta_Sturm40.jpg
Clematis recta Ground virginsbower

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Clematis recta is a PERENNIAL CLIMBER growing to 1.5 m (5ft) by 0.6 m (2ft in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 3. It is in flower from July to August. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs).
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Plant Habitats

Woodland Garden Dappled Shade; Shady Edge;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves  Shoots
Edible Uses:

Young shoot tips - cooked or pickled[177]. Some caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity.

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Antirheumatic  Diaphoretic  Diuretic  Homeopathy  Rubefacient

The flowers and leaves are diaphoretic, diuretic and rubefacient[4]. They are taken both internally and externally in the treatment of syphilitic, cancerous and other foul ulcers[4]. Caution is advised since this is a poisonous plant[4]. A homeopathic remedy is made from the plant. It is used in the treatment of rheumatism and skin eruptions[238].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

None known

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Succeeds in any soil in full sun[187, 200], but prefers a fertile sandy loam[200]. Dislikes poorly-drained heavy clay soils, but grows well in clay if grit is added for drainage[11, 200]. Does well on chalk. Dislikes winter wet[200]. Succeeds in acid as well as alkaline soils[200]. Plans are hardy to about -25°c[187]. A twining plant[182]. 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[212]. There are some named forms, selected for their ornamental value[233]. 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[200]. Plants seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits[233]. A greedy plant, inhibiting the growth of nearby plants, especially legumes[54].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees,Edible Shrubs, Woodland Gardening, and Temperate Food Forest Plants. Our new book is Food Forest Plants For Hotter Conditions (Tropical and Sub-Tropical).

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Plant Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame[164, 200]. 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[164]. A period of cold stratification is beneficial[164]. The seed germinates in 1 - 9 months or more at 20°c[164]. 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[200]. Layering of old stems in late winter or early spring[200]. Layering of current seasons growth in early summer[200].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

TEMPERATE ASIA: Russian Federation-Ciscaucasia (Ciscaucasia), Azerbaijan EUROPE: Austria, Switzerland (south), Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia, Russian Federation (European part), Belarus, Ukraine (incl. Krym), Bulgaria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Greece (northeast), Croatia, Italy, Montenegro, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia, Spain (northeast), France (s. & Corsica)

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Clematis alternata Climber4.0 -  LMHSNM01 
Clematis apiifolia Climber5.0 6-9 FLMHSNM12 
Clematis barbellata Climber4.0 -  LMHSNM02 
Clematis brachyura Climber1.0 5-9  LMHSNM10 
Clematis buchananiana Climber6.0 6-9 FLMHSNM12 
Clematis chinensisWei Ling XianClimber5.0 5-9  LMHSNM12 
Clematis columbianaRock ClematisClimber3.0 4-8  LMHSNM011
Clematis connata Climber7.0 5-9 FLMHSNM01 
Clematis douglasiiHairy ClematisPerennial0.6 5-9  LMHSNM011
Clematis flammulaFragrant Virgin's Bower, Fragrant clematisClimber4.0 5-9 FLMHSNM103
Clematis ianthina Climber4.0 4-8  LMHSNM10 
Clematis ligusticifoliaWhite Clematis, Western white clematis, California clematis,Climber5.0 4-8  LMHSNM021
Clematis mandschurica Perennial1.2 6-9  LMHSNM02 
Clematis microphyllaHeadachevineClimber3.0 8-11  LMHSNM01 
Clematis orientalisOriental virginsbowerClimber4.0 5-9  LMHSNM011
Clematis patens Climber4.0 5-9  LMHSNM10 
Clematis pierotii Climber3.0 5-9  LMHSNM10 
Clematis serratifolia Climber3.0 5-9  LMHSNM10 
Clematis ternifloraSennin-So, Sweet autumn virginsbower, Sweet Autumn Clematis, Fall ClematisPerennial Climber5.0 5-9 FLMHSNM111
Clematis tibetana Climber4.0 5-9  LMHSNM02 
Clematis trichotoma Climber5.0 -  LMHSNM10 
Clematis vitalbaTraveller's Joy, Evergreen clematisClimber15.0 4-8 FLMHSNM121

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

Expert comment

Author

L.

Botanical References

74200

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