Common Name:

General Information

Clematis brachyura is a deciduous climbing plant growing around 100cm tall[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food.
Populations of Clematis brachyura show no evidence of decline, and although there are threats in place in various parts of its range, it is unclear whether these would have a sufficient impact to categorize this species as threatened at present. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2019)[].

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 - Korea

Habitat

An understorey plant in open woodlan, mixed woodlandd and shrubberies; at elevations up to 1,000 metres[, ].

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Edibility Rating
Habit	Deciduous Climber
Height	1.00 m
Pollinators	Bees, Flies
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

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[], the stems will often die right back in the winter[]. 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[].
Flowers are formed from lateral buds produced the previous season. Any pruning should consist of removing any dead or weak growth in early spring and reducing the remainder down to the strongest pair of lateral buds[].
Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[].
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 leaves - cooked[]. The dried leaves are used to make a salad style traditional Korean food, known as 'Namul'[]. Some caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity.

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

None known

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[].