Clematis recta
| Clematis recta | |
| Light: |  |
| Moisture: |  |
| Hardiness: | 3 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Height: | 5' |
| Width: | 2' |
| Blooms: | Mid Summer-Late Summer |
| Native to: | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Medicinal Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Clematis recta
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: Succeeds in any soil in full sun[3][2], but prefers a fertile sandy loam[2]. Dislikes poorly-drained heavy clay soils, but grows well in clay if grit is added for drainage[4][2]. Does well on chalk. Dislikes winter wet[2]. Succeeds in acid as well as alkaline soils[2].
Plans are hardy to about -25°c[3].
A twining plant[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].
There are some named forms, selected for their ornamental value[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[7].
A greedy plant, inhibiting the growth of nearby plants, especially legumes[8].
Range: S. and E. Europe.
Habitat: Scrub, forest, river valleys and sunny hills[9][3].
Edibility: Young shoot tips - cooked or pickled[10]. Some caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity.
Medicinal: The flowers and leaves are diaphoretic, diuretic and rubefacient[11]. They are taken both internally and externally in the treatment of syphilitic, cancerous and other foul ulcers[11]. Caution is advised since this is a poisonous plant[11].
A homeopathic remedy is made from the plant. It is used in the treatment of rheumatism and skin eruptions[12].
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[13].
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 2.9 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Phillips, Roger and Martyn Rix. Perennials - The Definitve Reference. Pan Books, 1991.
- ↑ Bean, William. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Murray, 1981.
- ↑ 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.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Thomas, Graham. Perennial Garden Plants. J. M. Dent & Sons, 1990.
- ↑ Hatfield, Audrey. How to Enjoy your Weeds. Frederick Muller Ltd, 1974.
- ↑ Komarov, Vladimir. Flora of the USSR. Gantner Verlag, 1968.
- ↑ Kunkel, Günther. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books, 1984.
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 Grieve, Margaret. A Modern Herbal. Penguin, 1984.
- ↑ Bown, Deni. Royal Horticultural Society Encyclopaedia of Herbs and Their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, 1995.
- ↑ Frohne, Dietrich and Hans Pfänder. J. A Colour Atlas of Poisonous Plants. Timber Press, 1984.