Common Name: Wei Ling Xian

General Information

Clematis chinensis is a moderately vigorous, semi-evergreen climbing plant with slender stems; it can grow around 3 metres tall. The plant scrambles into the surrounding vegetation, attaching itself by means of twining leafstalks[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food and medicine and as a cosmetic ingredient. It is very often grown as an ornamental.

Known Hazards

This species is harmful if eaten[]. The toxic principle is dissipated by heat or by drying[].
The plant is also a mild skin irritant[].

Botanical References

, ,

Range

E. Asia - central, southern and eastern China, southern Japan, Vietnam.

Habitat

Open woods, hedges, thickets, roadsides and banks of streams; at elevations from 100 - 1,500 metres[, , , ].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Semi-deciduous Climber
Height	5.00 m
Pollinators	Bees, Flies
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Clematis chinensis is a somewhat cold-hardy plant, being able to tolerate short periods with temperatures down to around -15°c when fully dormant[].
Prefers a deep moist soil with its roots in the shade and its shoots growing up to the light[]. Dislikes poorly-drained heavy clay soils, but grows well in clay if grit is added for drainage[, ]. Dislikes light sandy soils[]. Does well on chalk[]. Succeeds in acid as well as alkaline soils[].
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[].
A twining plant[]. 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[].
The flowers are pleasantly scented[].
Plants flower in the autumn on the current season's growth, any pruning is best carried out in the spring before new growth begins[, ]. The flowers are produced quite late in the season and can be damaged by late frosts, so plants generally do better in the milder western parts of the country[].
Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[].
Plants seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits[].
A greedy plant, inhibiting the growth of nearby plants, especially legumes[].
The flowers are often damaged by winter cold[].

Edible Uses

Young shoots - cooked[]. They are said to be non-toxic in one report[] but caution is still advised due to reports of toxicity in this genus[]. It is quite probable that cooking destroys the acrimonious principle, though this is a plant that I have no desire to eat[].

Medicinal

The root is anodyne, antidote, antiperiodic, antispasmodic, carminative, diuretic and sedative[, , , , ]. A decoction is taken internally in the treatment of rheumatism and arthritis, tetanus and cold-type stomach-ache[, ].
The root is harvested in the autumn and dried for later use[].

The whole plant is antirheumatic[, , , ]. The plant has a history of folk use in the treatment of cancer[, , , ].

The root contains the compound anemonin, this has been shown to have antibacterial, analgesic, sedative and antispasmodic actions. It also inhibits the heart and central nervous system and is rubefacient[].

Other Uses

An extract of the roots is used as an ingredient in commercial cosmetic preparations as a skin conditioner[].

Propagation

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