Common Name: Sennin-So

General Information

Clematis terniflora is a vigorous and robust, deciduous climbing plant with more or less woody stems; it can grow up to 10 metres tall, sometimes more[]. The plant scrambles over the ground, climbing into the surrounding vegetation where it attaches itself by means of twining leafstalks[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food and medicine and as an ingredient in commercial cosmetic products. The plant is grown as an ornamental.

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[].

Botanical References

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Range

E. Asia - central and eastern China, Japan, Korea

Habitat

Shrubberies and open woodlands, woodland margins, scrub on slopes, grassy areas on hills, among rocks in coastal areas, roadsides, hedgerows and old walls; at elevations from near sea level to 800 metres[, ].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Deciduous Climber
Height	8.00 m
Pollinators	Bees, Flies
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Prefers a deep moist soil in a sunny position[]. 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[].
The flowers are hawthorn-scented[].
Often grown as an ornamental, especially in eastern Asia, this is a vigorous plant that can spread in the garden and become invasive[]. It has the potential to spread from cultivation into native habitats in areas where it has been introduced and could become problematic[].
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[].
Plants seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits[].
A greedy plant, inhibiting the growth of nearby plants, especially legumes[].

Edible Uses

Young shoots - cooked[, ]. Parboiled, then eaten boiled or oil-roasted[]. Some caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity.

Flowers[, ]. No more details are given.

The young buds (Does this refer to flower or leaf buds?) are parboiled then eaten boiled or oil-roasted, or they can be pickled in vinegar[].

Medicinal

The plant is antidote, antiscrofulatic and ophthalmic. A decoction is used to wash scrophulous sores in children and is reported to be antidote in the treatment of vermillion poisoning[]. (As Clematis paniculata Thunb.)
The expessed juice is used in the treatment of corneal opacities[]. (As Clematis paniculata Thunb)

Other Uses

An extract of the whole plant is used as an ingredient in commercial cosmetic preparations as a skin conditioner[].
An extract of the flowers is used as an ingredient in commercial cosmetic preparations as a skin protector[].

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 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[].
Layering of old stems in late winter or early spring[].
Layering of current seasons growth in early summer[].