Clematis apiifolia
| Clematis apiifolia | |
| Light: |   |
| Moisture: |  |
| Hardiness: | 7 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Height: | 16' |
| Width: | 16' |
| Speed: | Fast |
| Blooms: | Early Fall-Mid Fall |
| Open Woods Forest | |
| Native to: | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Medicinal Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
 | |
Clematis apiifolia
Propagation: Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame[1][2]. 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[1]. A period of cold stratification is beneficial[1]. The seed germinates in 1 - 9 months or more at 20°c[1]. 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[2].
Layering of old stems in late winter or early spring[2].
Layering of current seasons growth in early summer[2].
Cultivation: Prefers a deep moist soil with its roots in the shade and its shoots growing up to the light[1]. Dislikes poorly-drained heavy clay soils, but grows well in clay if grit is added for drainage[3][2]. Dislikes light sandy soils[3]. Does well on chalk[3]. Succeeds in acid as well as alkaline soils[2].
A twining plant[4], it is fast-growing and is possibly best in the wild garden[5]. 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[6].
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[2].
Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[2].
Plants seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits[7].
A greedy plant, inhibiting the growth of nearby plants, especially legumes[8].
Range: E. Asia - China, Japan, Korea.
Habitat: Thickets in lowland and foothills, C. and S. Japan[9]. Forests, grassy slopes and along the sides of streams at elevations of 100 - 2300 metres in China[10].
Edibility: Young shoots - cooked and used as a vegetable[11][12][13]. Caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity.
The dried leaves are a tea substitute[11][12]. The roasted leaves are used according to another report[13].
Medicinal: An infusion of the stems is used in the treatment of colic, dysentery, dyspepsia and sweating[14].
The plant is carminative and digestive[14]. It is also used in the treatment of dysentery[14].
Pollinators: Bees, flies
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
Seed Ripens: Mid Fall-Late Fall
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
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[15].
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Bird, Alfred. Growing from Seed Volume 4. Thompson and Morgan, 1990.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Bean, William. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Murray, 1981.
- ↑ Thomas, Graham. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray, 1992.
- ↑ Davis, Brian. Climbers and Wall Shrubs. Viking, 1990.
- ↑ Davis, Ray and Frank Craighead. A Field Guide to Rocky Mountain Wildflowers. The Riverside Press, 1963.
- ↑ Thomas, Graham. Perennial Garden Plants. J. M. Dent & Sons, 1990.
- ↑ Hatfield, Audrey. How to Enjoy your Weeds. Frederick Muller Ltd, 1974.
- ↑ Ohwi, Jisaburo. Flora of Japan. Smithsonian Institution, 1965.
- ↑ Flora of China. 1994.
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 Tanaka, Tyōzaburō. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing, 1976.
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 Kunkel, Günther. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books, 1984.
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 Facciola, Stephen. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications, 1990.
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 14.2 Duke, James and Edward Ayensu. Medicinal Plants of China. Reference Publications, 1985.
- ↑ Frohne, Dietrich and Hans Pfänder. J. A Colour Atlas of Poisonous Plants. Timber Press, 1984.