Clematis terniflora DC.

Scientific Nomenclature and Plant Type

Clematis terniflora DC. is a woody vine with opposite, pinnately compound leaves.

Leaf Characteristics

The leaves have a leathery texture, a shiny green color, and hold 3 to 5 oval to elliptic leaflets with cordate bases.

Branch Morphology

Its climbing branches are shallowly 4 to 10-grooved.

Mature Size

Mature plants reach 15 to 30 feet tall and 15 to 30 feet wide.

Flowering Period

The plant produces white flowers that bloom in fall.

Floral Sexuality

Flowers are bisexual, though some individual flowers in the same inflorescence may be unisexual.

Floral Morphology

Each flower has a slender 1 to 3.5 cm long pedicel, and its white sepals spread widely, do not curve back, and are shaped linear, elliptic, lanceolate, or narrowly obovate.

Fruit Development

In late fall, fertilized flowers develop into seed clusters made of 5 to 6 connected fruits, each with a long white tail.

Fruit Maturation Traits

As the fruits dry, their color fades and the tail turns feather-like.

Seed Dispersal

In spring, mature fruits detach and are dispersed by wind.

Growth Habit

This species is self-seeding and grows aggressively.

Pests and Diseases

Common issues for this plant include aphids, vine weevils, leaf spot, stem rot, and powdery mildew.

Native Distribution

This species is native to northeastern Asia, where it occurs across Amur, north-central China, south-central China, southeast China, Inner Mongolia, Japan, Khabarovsk, Korea, Manchuria, Nansei-Shoto, Ogasawara-Shoto, Primorye, and Taiwan.

Introduced Distribution

It was introduced to the United States in the late 1800s as an ornamental garden plant, and has naturalized across many eastern and Midwestern U.S. states.

Hardiness Zones

It grows well in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 4 through 9.

Wild Habitat

In the wild, it is most often found at forest edges and in sites with full sun exposure.

Pharmacological Research Focus

The leaves of Clematis terniflora are studied for their anti-inflammatory effects.

Traditional Medicinal Uses

The plant has been used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat tonsillitis, cholelithiasis, and conjunctivitis.

Current Anti-Inflammatory Research

Current research examines the anti-inflammatory effect of an ethanol extract from C. terniflora leaves in activated macrophages, which play a central role in inflammatory responses.

Research Application

This work aims to develop an effective pharmacotherapy treatment for acute lung injury (ALI).

Ornamental Use in the U.S.

In the United States, the plant is grown as a decorative garden plant.

Landscaping Functions

It can grow as ground cover, or climb fences and trellises to create a dense, blanket-like landscaping effect.

Pruning for Shrub Form

It can be aggressively pruned to maintain a shrub-like form, though this requires heavy pruning and regular care.

Pollinator Resource

It also provides resources for pollinators during late summer and early autumn.

Cultivation Light Requirements

For cultivation, this plant prefers full sun, but will produce flowers even when grown in partial shade.

Pruning Timing

These woody-stemmed plants can be pruned in fall or early spring to within a couple of feet of the ground.

Growth Form Flexibility

They can climb fences, trellises, arbors, or other plants to heights of 10 to 30 feet, or can be left to sprawl along the ground to form dense ground cover.

Flowering Growth Type

It blooms on new growth.

Cultivation Care Requirements

It has no serious insect or disease problems, and does not require fertilizer or frequent watering, though it will benefit from a low-nitrogen fertilizer such as 5-10-10 applied in spring.

Deer Resistance

It is considered deer resistant.