Ground Virginsbower Clematis recta

• Attributes:

  Genus:

  Clematis

  Species:

  recta

  Family:

  Ranunculaceae

  Uses (Ethnobotany):

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

  Life Cycle:

  Perennial

  Recommended Propagation Strategy:

  Division

  Seed

  Country Or Region Of Origin:

  Eastern, Southern, Central Europe to Caucasus

  Distribution:

  Northern US states and southern Canadian provinces

  Wildlife Value:

  This plant is attractive to bees, butterflies, and birds.

  Dimensions:

  Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.

  Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.

• Whole Plant Traits:

  Plant Type:

  Perennial

  Poisonous

  Shrub

  Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:

  Deciduous

  Habit/Form:

  Erect

  Spreading

  Growth Rate:

  Slow

  Maintenance:

  Medium

  Texture:

  Fine

• Cultural Conditions:

  Light:

  Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)

  Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)

  Soil Texture:

  Clay

  High Organic Matter

  Loam (Silt)

  Soil pH:

  Acid (<6.0)

  Alkaline (>8.0)

  Neutral (6.0-8.0)

  Soil Drainage:

  Good Drainage

  Moist

  Available Space To Plant:

  3 feet-6 feet

  NC Region:

  Coastal

  Mountains

  Piedmont

  USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:

  3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5b, 5a, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9b, 9a

• Fruit:

  Fruit Color:

  Brown/Copper

  Fruit Value To Gardener:

  Showy

  Display/Harvest Time:

  Fall

  Fruit Type:

  Achene

  Fruit Description:

  Seeds are dark brown, smooth, orbicular, much compressed, tails long yellowish, plumose;

• Flowers:

  Flower Color:

  White

  Flower Inflorescence:

  Panicle

  Umbel

  Flower Value To Gardener:

  Fragrant

  Good Cut

  Showy

  Flower Bloom Time:

  Spring

  Summer

  Flower Shape:

  Cross

  Star

  Flower Petals:

  4-5 petals/rays

  6 petals/rays

  7 - 20 petals/rays

  Flower Size:

  < 1 inch

  Flower Description:

  Milky white and fragrant, flowers with 4-8 petal-like parts

• Leaves:

  Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:

  Deciduous

  Leaf Color:

  Green

  Purple/Lavender

  Leaf Type:

  Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)

  Leaf Arrangement:

  Opposite

  Leaf Margin:

  Entire

  Hairs Present:

  No

  Leaf Description:

  purple new leaves that green slightly as they mature; pinnately divided; leaflets five to nine pubescent underneath, petioled.

• Stem:

  Stem Is Aromatic:

  No

• Landscape:

  Landscape Location:

  Container

  Patio

  Woodland

  Landscape Theme:

  Butterfly Garden

  Cottage Garden

  Pollinator Garden

  Design Feature:

  Border

  Mass Planting

  Attracts:

  Bees

  Butterflies

  Songbirds

  Resistance To Challenges:

  Black Walnut

  Deer

  Rabbits

  Problems:

  Poisonous to Humans

  Problem for Cats

  Problem for Dogs

  Problem for Horses

• Poisonous to Humans:

  Poison Severity:

  High

  Poison Symptoms:

  Clematis can cause severe mouth pain and ulcers if eaten. Toxic to dogs, cats, horses. Clinical signs are salivation, vomiting, diarrhea. In humans, symptoms may include dizziness, confusion, fainting, and convulsions. Fatalities are rare, due to the rapid and intense bitter taste and mouth irritation from eating. Gastric lavage is recommended and anti-inflammatory to soothe irritated tissue. Contact dermatitis results in skin redness and burning sensation for some people, gardening gloves are recommended.

  Poison Toxic Principle:

  protoanemonin

  Causes Contact Dermatitis:

  Yes

  Poison Part:

  Leaves

  Sap/Juice