Clematis microphylla
| Clematis microphylla | |
| Light: |   |
| Moisture: |  |
| Hardiness: | 9 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Height: | 10' |
| Native to: | |
| Medicinal Rating: | |
| Tea: | Yes |
 | |
Clematis microphylla
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 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[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[3][2]. 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[4]. Succeeds in acid as well as alkaline soils[2].
Plants are hardy to at least -7°c in Australian gardens[5], though this does not translate directly to this country because of our cooler summers that do not ripen the wood so well and our longer colder and wetter winters. It might succeed outdoors in our milder areas[2].
A twining plant[6]. 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].
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 seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits[8].
A greedy plant, inhibiting the growth of nearby plants, especially legumes[9].
Range: Australia - New South Wales, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, Western Australia.
Habitat: Sandy loams on river banks and in moist gullies by the coast and on tablelands[10][11].
Medicinal: Rubefacient. Use with caution and do not apply for more than 3 minutes[10].
Pollinators: Bees, flies
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
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[12].
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 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 2.8 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.
- ↑ Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ Wrigley, John and Murray Fagg. Australian Native Plants. Collins, 1988.
- ↑ Thomas, Graham. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray, 1992.
- ↑ 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.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 Lassak, Erich and Tara McCarthy. Australian Medicinal Plants.
- ↑ Ewart, Alfred. Recording Census of the Victorian Flora. 1923.
- ↑ Frohne, Dietrich and Hans Pfänder. J. A Colour Atlas of Poisonous Plants. Timber Press, 1984.