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Clematis virginiana
Clematis virginiana L.
Devil's Darning Needles, Virgin's Bower, Old Man's Beard
Ranunculaceae (Buttercup Family)
Synonym(s): Clematis virginiana var. missouriensis
USDA Symbol: CLVI5
USDA Native Status: L48 (N), CAN (N)
A 15-20 ft., fine-texured vine, climbing by twisting leaf stalks. Profuse, axillary clusters of small, white flowers are followed by plume-like, feathery achenes. Trifoliate leaves are bright-green. A climbing vine with white flowers in many clusters arising from the leaf axils.
A beautiful and common Clematis, it trails over fences and other shrubs along moist roadsides and riverbanks. The female flowers, with their feathery tails or plumes, give a hoary appearance and are especially showy in late summer. Lacking tendrils, the vine supports itself by means of twisted stems, or petioles, that wrap around other plants.
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Vine
Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Leaf Complexity: Trifoliate
Fruit Type: Achene
Size Notes: Climber
Leaf: Green
Autumn Foliage: yes
Fruit: Brown
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: White , Green , BrownBloom Time: Jul , Aug , Sep
Distribution
USA: AL , AR , CT , DC , DE , FL , GA , IA , IL , IN , KS , KY , LA , MA , MD , ME , MI , MN , MO , MS , NC , ND , NE , NH , NJ , NY , OH , OK , PA , RI , SC , SD , TN , TX , VA , VT , WI , WVCanada: MB , NB , NS , ON , PE , QC
Native Distribution: N.S. to Man., s. to GA, LA & OK
Native Habitat: Low, moist woods; thickets; stream banks
Growing Conditions
Water Use: MediumLight Requirement: Sun , Part Shade , Shade
Soil Moisture: Dry , Moist
CaCO3 Tolerance: Low
Soil Description: Prefers moist, rich soils, but will also thrive in dry shade.
Conditions Comments: The leaves of this species are poisonous to humans. Fast-growing stems can grow 20 ft. in one year. They may be pruned at any time during the growing season. To encourage bushiness, prune stems in the spring to within a few feet of the ground. Climbs well on narrow supports such as twigs or wire fences.
Benefit
Use Wildlife: Hummingbirds, BeesUse Medicinal: An extract of the stems was used as a wash to induce strange dreams by the Iroquois. It is a hallucinogen. (Native American Ethnobotany. Aboriginals used this plant as medicine for many puposes. The Cherokee used an infusion of this with milkweed for backache. They also used it as an ingredient in ceremonial green corn medicine. An infusion of the root is taken for stomach trouble and nerves. An infusion taken from the root was used to kidney trouble by the Cherokee and the Iroquois. The Iroquois also used and infusion of the roots to treat veneral disease sores. (Native American Ethnobotany)
Warning: POISONOUS PARTS: All parts. Severe pain in mouth if eaten; skin irritation if touched or inhaled. Symptoms include burning sensation of mouth and mouth ulcers. Skin redness and burning sensation is minor and lasts only a few minutes. Toxic Principle: Anemonin.
Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Fragrant Flowers: yes
Attracts: Butterflies , Hummingbirds
Propagation
Description: Higher germination results from stored seeds sown indoors or in a cold frame than from seed sown directly outdoors after collection. Stem cuttings that include at least 2 sets of leaves can be taken any time during the growing season. The fastest method is layering.Seed Collection: The feathery achenes, which are actually one-seeded fruits, are dark brown and ready for collection through the fall. Seed heads persist for several months so collection time is not critical. Store dry, with the feathery styles, in sealed, refrigerated containers.
Seed Treatment: A 60-180 day period of cold-moist stratification at 33-40 degrees aids in the germination of stored seeds.
Commercially Avail: yes
Maintenance: Can be an agressive self seeder.
Find Seed or Plants
View propagation protocol from Native Plants Network.
Mr. Smarty Plants says
Vines for shade in North-Central Georgia
August 07, 2009
I am looking for something to hide a 6' wood fence that will grow in almost full shade. I have an area approx 2 feet wide to plant in. Since the fence and planting areas are stepped -- about 8 feet f...
view the full question and answer
National Wetland Indicator Status
Region: | AGCP | AK | AW | CB | EMP | GP | HI | MW | NCNE | WMVE |
Status: | FAC | FAC | FAC | FAC | FAC |
From the National Organizations Directory
According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:Mt. Cuba Center - Hockessin, DE
Bibliography
Bibref 928 - 100 easy-to-grow native plants for Canadian gardens (2005) Johnson, L.; A. LeyerleBibref 1294 - The Midwestern Native Garden: Native Alternatives to Nonnative Flowers and Plants An Illustrated Guide (2011) Adelman, Charlotte and Schwartz, Bernard L.
Search More Titles in Bibliography
Research Literature
Reslit 417 - Lectotypification of Clematis virginiana L (Ranunculaceae) (1989) F. B. Essig and C. E. JarvisReslit 416 - The Clematis virginiana (Ranunculaceae) complex in the southeastern United States (1990) F. B. Essig
This information was provided by the Florida WIldflower Foundation.
Search More Titles in Research Literature
Additional resources
USDA: Find Clematis virginiana in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Clematis virginiana in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Clematis virginiana
Metadata
Record Modified: 2017-08-07Research By: TWC Staff