Common Name:

General Information

Clematis recta is a clump-forming, herbaceous perennial plant with erect stems up to 200cm tall, but more commonly 100cm or less[]..
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food and medicine. It is commonly grown as an ornamental, valued especially for its scented flowers[].

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

Southern and central Europe from Germany to France and Spain, east to southwest Russia, the Caucasus and Turkey

Habitat

Scrub, forest, river valleys and sunny hills[, ]. Open woodland, bushy places and dry hill slopes[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	1.50 m
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Clematis recta is a very cold-hardy plant, being able to tolerate temperatures down to around -25°c when fully dormant[]. They can tolerate temperatures down to about -35°c according to another report[].
Succeeds in any soil in full sun[, ], but prefers a fertile sandy loam[]. Dislikes poorly-drained heavy clay soils, but grows well in clay if grit is added for drainage[, ]. Does well on chalk. Dislikes winter wet[]. Succeeds in acid as well as alkaline soils[].
There are some named forms, selected for their ornamental value[].
Plants in the wild usually have more or less erect stems that are self-supporting, cultivated forms often grow taller with weaker stems and require some sort of support[].
Flowers are usually pleasantly scented, strongly so in some forms[].
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 shoot tips - cooked or pickled[]. Some caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity.

Medicinal

The flowers and leaves are diaphoretic, diuretic and rubefacient[]. They are taken both internally and externally in the treatment of syphilitic, cancerous and other foul ulcers[].
Caution is advised since this is a poisonous plant[].

A homeopathic remedy is made from the plant. It is used in the treatment of rheumatism and skin eruptions[].

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 their first winter. Plant out in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts.
Division of the clump in the dormant season[].
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[].