Clematis Sp. - Virgin's bower

Family: Ranunculaceae (Buttercup)  ^[E-flora]

"Plant ± woody vine; occasionally dioecious. Leaf: generally 1–2-pinnate, cauline, opposite; petiole generally tendril-like; leaflets ovate to lanceolate, generally irregularly 2–3-lobed or coarsely toothed, occasionally entire. Inflorescence: 1-flowered to panicle, axillary [terminal]. Flower: unisexual; sepals generally 4, free, petal-like, white to cream [brightly colored]; petals 0; stamens many, free; pistils 5–many. Fruit: achene, each generally with elongate, feathery style.
300 species: worldwide; Clematis terniflora DC., cultivated. (Greek: twig) [Pringle 1999 Clematis 1999:12–19] Clematis drummondii Torr. & A. Gray undocumented for California." ^[Jepson]

KEY TO CLEMATIS
1. Sepals blue to reddish purple...................................... C. occidentalis
1. Sepals bright yellow to cream or white.
2. Sepals white; flowers imperfect; the plants dioecious, plants native.....................................C. ligusticifolia
2. Sepals bright yellow or cream, if white then the flowers perfect; plants introduced.
3. Sepals bright yellow..........................................C. tanguitica
3. Sepals cream or white.....................................C. vitalba ^[E-flora]

Local Species;

1. Clematis tangutica var. tangutica - Golden clematis ^[E-flora]
2. Clematis vitalba - Traveler's joy ^[E-flora]

Hazards

Clematis Sp.

• Protoanemonin ^{[HPIP Shih]}
  • "Intense pain and inflammation of the mouth with blistering, ulceration, and profuse salivation can occur. Bloody emesis and diarrhea develop in association with severe abdominal cramps. Central nervous system involvement is manifested by dizziness, syncope, and seizures." ^{[HPIP Shih]}
  • "Most exposures result in minimal or no toxicity. Intravenous hydration, antiemetics, and electrolyte replacement may be necessary for patients with severe gastrointestinal symptoms, particularly in children." ^{[HPIP Shih]}
  • "If seizures occur, rapidly acting anticonvulsants, such as intravenous diazepam, should be utilized along with other supportive measures. Consultation with a Poison Control Center should be strongly considered." ^{[HPIP Shih]}

Clematis tangutica - Golden clematis

Subtaxa Present in B.C.

• Clematis tangutica var. tangutica ^[E-flora]

"General: Perennial vine; stems climbing or trailing on the ground, to 3 m long, sparsely soft-hairy when young." ^{[IFBC-E-flora]}

"Habitat / Range Dry to mesic roadsides and disturbed areas in the lowland, steppe and montane zones; rare garden escape throughout BC; introduced from NW China, Mongolia and India." ^{[IFBC-E-flora]}

Status: Exotic ^[E-flora]

References

• [E-flora] https://linnet.geog.ubc.ca/Atlas/Atlas.aspx?sciname=Clematis%20tangutica&redblue=Both&lifeform=4, Accessed April 28, 2021

Clematis vitalba - Traveler's joy

"Clematis vitalba is a deciduous Climber growing to 15 m (49ft) by 15 m (49ft) at a fast rate. It is hardy to zone (UK) 4. It is in flower from Jul to September, and the seeds ripen from Oct to January. The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by Bees, flies.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils and can grow in very alkaline soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil." ^[PFAF]

"Characteristics: The flowers have a slight scent resembling white thorn. The plant is poisonous if ingested in large amounts." ^[PDR]

"General: Perennial woody vine; stems climbing, to 12 m long, grooved, sparsely hairy." ^{[IFBC-E-flora]}

"Habitat / Range Mesic to dry roadsides and disturbed areas in the lowland zone; infrequent garden escape on SE Vancouver Island, the Gulf Islands and adjacent mainland; introduced from Eurasia and N Africa." ^{[IFBC-E-flora]}

Status: Exotic ^[E-flora]

"Additional Notes Clematis vitalba is considered an emerging invasive species by the Greater Vancouver Invasive Plant Council (2009). An emerging invasive is defined by them as: currently found in isolated, sparse populations but are rapidly expanding their range within the region." ^[E-flora]

• "All parts of the plant are poisonous[7], the toxic principle is dissipated by heat or by drying[65]." ^[PFAF]
• "The plant should not be taken internally because it is poisonous[7]." ^[PFAF]
• "Extended skin contact with the freshly harvested, bruised plant can lead to treatment-resistant blisters and cauterizations due to the release of protoanemonine, which is severely irritating to skin and mucous membranes. If taken internally, severe irritation to the gastrointestinal tract, combined with colic, diarrhea and irritation of the urinary drainage passages, are possible. Symptomatic treatment for external contact should consist of irrigation with diluted potassium permanganate solution followed by mucilage." ^[PDR]
• Overdose: "Ingestion of the drug should be treated with gastric lavage followed by activated charcoal. Death by asphyxiation following the intake of large quantities of protoanemonine forming plants has been observed in animal experiments. The toxicity of this plant is less than that of many other Ranunculaceae (Anemones nemorosae) due to the, relatively low levels of protoanemonine-forming agents." ^[PDR]
  

Edible Uses

• Young Shoots
  • "cooked and used like hop shoots (Humulus lupulus)[7, 46, 61]. Caution is advised due to reports of toxicity[7]." ^[PFAF]
  • "The frittata (an omelette of vegetables [usually boiled], and beaten eggs) is very popular in the entire region and shoots of Clematis vitalba is a main ingredient. The young shoots of this relatively toxic species are boiled, before being mixed with eggs and/or cheese, and fried. In this way the toxic principle protoanemonine (Roth, Daunderer and Korman 1994) is inactivated." ^{[ANDREA PIERONI]}
    

Other Uses

• Basketry
  • "The stems are used in basketry[100, 115]." ^[PFAF]
• Smoke
  • "In northwestern Anatolia, Turkey, a piece of branch was smoked like a cigarette to relieve toothache (Yeşilada et al. 1999). Dried leaves were smoked in southern Italy’s Cilento National Park for their mildly hallucinogenic properties (Scherrer et al. 2005). In other parts of Italy, the leaves and buds were smoked as a tobacco (Nicotiana spp.) substitute (Leporatti and Ivancheva 2003)." [UAPDS]"
    

Medicinal Uses

• Leaves
  • "The medicinal parts of the plant are the fresh leaves." ^[PDR]
  • "The leaves are analgesic, diuretic and rubefacient[7, 61]." ^[PFAF]
  • "From the bruised roots and stems of C. vitalba L., boiled for a few moments in water to diminish their acridity, and then digested in sweet oil for a little while, is made a preparation used locally in Europe for the itch. Twelve or fifteen applications are said to be usually sufficient. Gaube has found in this species an alkaloid, also named clematine, which forms with sulphuric acid a salt crystallizable in six-sided needles; also an acrid volatile oil analogous to mezereon in its properties, tannic acid, mucilage, and earthy salts. (J. P. C., Aout, 1869.)" ^{[Remington USD20]}
  • "Unproven Uses: The drug causes blistering and was formerly used to treat diseases of the male genitals, as well as for poorly healing wounds. Today, it is used in small doses, both internally and externally, for migraine." ^[PDR]
  • "Mode of Administration: The drug is used topically and is also available in alcoholic extracts." ^[PDR]
    
• Bach
  • "A homeopathic remedy is made from the plant. It is used in the treatment of rheumatism and skin eruptions[238]. The plant is used in Bach flower remedies - the keywords for prescribing it are 'Indifference', 'Dreaminess', 'Inattention' and 'Unconsciousness'[209]." ^[PFAF] "It is also one of the five ingredients in the 'Rescue remedy'[209]." ^[PFAF]
  • Preparation: "The flower essence remedy Clematis is prepared employing the sun method. To prepare this Bach Flower Remedy, you need to collect separate flowers along with the stalks from many different plants from any place where clematis is found growing robustly. Exercise care while selecting flowers that are in perfect bloom. You can do this simply, as the flowers will be apparent by their aroma as well as the pollen on the stamens." ^[Herbs2000]
  • Uses: "A Bach Flower Remedy, Clematis is especially indicated for those who are yearning for a future state, even as they experience apathy of unconcern towards the existing moment. Clematis is beneficial for individuals who doze off very easily into reverie as well as fantasies regarding the prospect feeling that their life would change for the better then compared to their current situation. People who require this flower essence remedy usually appear to be daydreaming or lethargic and may perhaps complain of absent-mindedness or even an absence of attentiveness or concentration. Such individuals normally have chilly feet and hands and frequently require plenty of sleep. The absence of desire among these people to be completely present denotes that they are just floating in thin air most of their time and are normally not grounded and this makes them to have a propensity to look inept or prone to accidents." ^[Herbs2000]
• Roots & Stems
  • "The boiled roots and stems are used as a cure for the itch[4]. When applied in the nostrils, the plant juice has been used to relieve migraine attacks, but it can also destroy the mucous membranes[7]." ^[PFAF]
    

Phytochemicals

• "Protoanemonine-forming agents: In the freshly harvested plant, it is presumably the glycoside ranunculin that changes enzymatically when the plant is cut into small pieces, and probably also when it is dried. It then changes into the pungent, volatile protoanemonine that is severely irritating to skin and mucous membranes but quickly dimerizes to anemonine; when dried, the plant is not capable of protoanemonine formation." ^[PDR]
  
• Saponins ^[PDR]

Cultivation & Propagation

"Prefers a deep moist soil with its roots in the shade[11, 200]. Dislikes poorly-drained heavy clay soils, but grows well in clay if grit is added for drainage[11, 200]. Dislikes light sandy soils[11]. Does well on chalk[1]. Dislikes acid soils below a pH of 6.0[186]. Succeeds in acid as well as alkaline soils[200]. Plants are hardy to about -18^oc[202]. A twining plant[182]. 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[186, 212]. It is capable of growing 2 metres in a year and can easily smother small trees and shrubs[186]. Another report says that it can grow 5 metres in a year[202]. 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[200]. The flowers are almond-scented[202]. They are produced on the current season's growth[219]. The plant is very amenable to pruning and can be cut back severely if required. This is best done in early spring[202]. A greedy plant, inhibiting growth of nearby plants, especially legumes[54]. Plants seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits[233]. This species is notably resistant to honey fungus[88, 200]." ^[PFAF]

"Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame[164, 200]. 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[164]. A period of cold stratification is beneficial[164]. The seed germinates in 1 - 9 months or more at 20^oc[164]. 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. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, taken between nodes, July/August in a frame[1]. 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[200]. Layering of current seasons growth in early summer[200]." ^[PFAF]

References

1. [ANDREA PIERONI] GATHERED WILD FOOD PLANTS IN THE UPPER VALLEY OF THE SERCHIO RIVER (GARFAGNANA), CENTRAL ITALY, ANDREA PIERONI, Economic Botany 53(3) pp. 327-341. 1999
2. [E-flora] Clematis vitalba, In Klinkenberg, Brian. (Editor) 2013. E-Flora BC: Electronic Atlas of the Plants of British Columbia [eflora.bc.ca]. Lab for Advanced Spatial Analysis, Department of Geography, University of British Columbia, Vancouver. Accessed: 5/18/2014 & April 28, 2021
3. [Herbs2000] Clematis vitalba, Accessed May 18, 2014
4. [PFAF] http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Clematis+vitalba, Accessed April 2, 2015

"Other species of clematis have the same acrid properties [as C. recta]; among these C. flammula L., or sweet-scented virgin's bower, which, though a native of Europe, is cultivated in our gardens, C. vitalba L., or traveller's joy, also a native of Europe, and several indigenous species, of which C. virginiana L., or common virgin's bower, C. viorna L., or leather flower, and C. crispa L. have been used as substitutes for C. recta L. All these are climbing plants. Rochebrune (Toxical. Africaine. i) affirms that he has found in C. flammula L. an alkaloid, clematine, two milligrammes of which will produce in the guinea-pig copious and frequent urination, general tremors, great disturbance of respiration, feeble-ness and intermittency of the heart beat, followed in seven minutes by convulsions ending in coma and death." ^{[Remington USD20]}

"Clematis brachiata Thunb. (Ranunculaceae). traveler’s joy.
Smoke from the burning of leaves was used in Botswana to treat blood problems due to itchy sores (Gelfand et al. 1985). Fresh leaves were smoked in Venda, South Africa, to treat headaches (Arnold and Gulumian 1984)." ^[UAPDS]

"Clematis denticulata Vell. (Ranunculaceae). cabelo del angelo.
The Izoceño-Guaraní of Bolivia burned the aerial parts of this species over fire and inhaled the smoke to treat malaria (Bourdy et al. 2004)." ^[UAPDS]
"Clematis flammula L. (Ranunculaceae). fragrant clematis.
In Italy, the leaves and buds of this and other Clematis species were smoked as a tobacco (Nicotiana spp.) substitute (Leporatti and Ivancheva 2003)." ^[UAPDS]

Clematic recta - Ground virgin’s bower.

• Hazards
  • "Hazards and/or side effects not known for therapeutic dosages of the dehydrated drug (PH2). Death by asphyxiation following the intake of large quantities of protoanemonine-forming plants has been observed in animal experiments (PH2)." ^{[HMH Duke]} "A perennial European plant. The leaves and flowers have an acrid, burning taste. When bruised in a mortar they irritate the eyes and throat, giving rise to a flow of tears and to coughing, and applied to the skin they produce inflammation and vcsication; hence their old name of Flammula Jovis. The acridity is greatly diminished by drying." ^{[Remington USD20]}
• Other Use
  • Smoking
    • "In Italy, the leaves and buds of this and other Clematis species were smoked as a tobacco (Nicotiana spp.) substitute (Leporatti and Ivancheva 2003)." ^[UAPDS]
• Medicinal Use
  • "Activities (Clematis) — Diaphoretic (f; EFS); Diuretic (f; EFS; HHB); Fungicide (1; HHB); Irritant (1; EFS); Laxative (f; EFS); Rubefacient (f; EFS); Vesicant (1; EFS; HHB); Vulnerary (f; PH2)." ^{[HMH Duke]} "Storck found this clematis to be diuretic and diaphoretic, in doses of from one to two grains (0.065-0.13 Gm.) of the extract a day, or from thirty to forty grains (2-2.6 Gm.) of the leaves given in infusion three times a day, and to be useful, locally and internally, in syphilitic, cancerous, and other foul ulcers." ^{[Remington USD20]}
  • "Indications (Clematis) — Adenopathy (f; HHB); Arthrosis (f; HHB); Blister (f; PH2); Blood (f; EFS); Catarrh (f; HHB); Dermatosis (f; HHB); Eczema (f; HHB); Edema (f; HHB); Fever (f; EFS); Fungus (1; HHB); Gonorrhea (f; HHB); Gout (f; HHB); Headache (f; PH2); Infection (1; HHB); Mycosis (1; HHB); Nephrosis (f; EFS); Osteosis (f; PH2); Pain (f; HHB); Prostatosis (f; HHB); Rheumatism (f; HHB); Scrofula (f; EFS); Sore (f; PH2); Swelling (f; HHB); Syphilis (f; HHB); Varicosis (f; PH2); VD (f; HHB); Water Retention (f; EFS; HHB)" ^{[HMH Duke]}
    

"Clematopsis scabiosifolia Hutch. (Ranunculaceae). shock headed Peter.
The roots of this species were burned in conjunction with others to treat tuberculosis in northern and eastern Mozambique (Verzár and Petri 1987). The patient dried the plant parts and placed the mixture on glowing coals. The patient was then covered with a blanket and forced to inhale the smoke. The other species in the mixture were Aspilia mossambicensis (Oliv.) Willd., Clerodendron discolor Becc., Helichrysum kirkii Oliv. & Hiern., and Ozoroa reticulata (Baker f.) R. Fern & A. Fern." ^[UAPDS]

"Clematis simensis Fresen. (Rananculaceae). Umunkamba.
Smoke from burning leaves is reported to have analgesic properties according to the people of Burundi (Mohagheghzadeh et al. 2006).

Clematis virginiana"Effects: Supposedly induces strange dreams and hallucinations. Precautions: It may irritate the skin or, if ingested, cause a burning feeling in the mouth." ^[EHMEFD]

References

1. [E-flora] Clematis vitalba, [Accessed: 5/18/2014 10:48:39 PM ]
2. [Jepson] James S. Pringle & Frederick B. Essig , 2013. Clematis, in Jepson Flora Project (eds.) Jepson eFlora, http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/get_IJM.pl?tid=10128, accessed on Jan 26 2015