Common Name:

General Information

Clematis apiifolia is a vigorous deciduous climbing plant with slender, woody stems, growing around 1 - 6 metres tall[, ].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food and medicine. It is an ingredient in commercial cosmetic products, and is sometimes 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

, ,

Range

E. Asia - southeast China, Japan, Korea.

Habitat

Thickets in lowland and foothills, C. and S. Japan[]. Forests, grassy slopes and along the sides of streams; at elevations from 100 - 2,300 metres in China[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Deciduous Climber
Height	5.00 m
Growth Rate	Fast
Pollinators	Bees, Flies
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Clematis apiifolia 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[].
A twining plant[], it is fast-growing and is possibly best in the wild garden[]. 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[].
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 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[].

Edible Uses

Young shoots - cooked and used as a vegetable[, , ]. Caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity.

The dried leaves are a tea substitute[, ]. The roasted leaves are used according to another report[].

Medicinal

The plant is carminative and digestive[]. It is also used in the treatment of dysentery[].
An infusion of the stems is used in the treatment of colic, dysentery, dyspepsia and sweating[].

Other Uses

An extract of the whole plant 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[].