NC Native Plant Society:
Plant Details
Clematis terniflora
Sweet Autumn Virginsbower, Leatherleaf Clematis
Scientific Name: |
Clematis terniflora |
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Genus: |
Clematis |
Species Epithet: |
terniflora |
Common Name: |
Sweet Autumn Virginsbower, Leatherleaf Clematis |
Plant Type |
Herbaceous Vine |
Life Cycle |
Perennial |
Plant Family |
Ranunculaceae (Buttercup Family) |
Native/Alien: |
Not Native to US |
Invasive Status: |
Rank 2 - Significant Threat (*Key) |
Size: |
12-36 ft. |
Bloom Color(s): |
White |
Light: |
Sun - 6 or more hours of sun per day, Part Shade - 2 to 6 hours of sun per day |
Soil Moisture: |
Moist |
Bloom Time: |
July, August, September |
Growing Area: |
Mountains, Piedmont |
Habitat Description: |
Disturbed areas |
Leaf Arrangement: |
Opposite |
Leaf Retention: |
Deciduous |
Leaf Type: |
Leaves veined, not needle-like or scale-like |
Leaf Form: |
Compound |
Life Cycle: |
Perennial |
Wildlife Value: |
No known wildlife value |
Landscape Value: |
Not Recommended for home landscapes |
Notes: |
Spreads rapidly and can be hard to control. Not Native |
NC Rank 2 Invasive, Significant threat "From the National Park Service website: "This species is found invading forest edges, right-of-ways and urban areas along streams and roads. It grows vigorously over other vegetation, forming dense blankets that block sunlight to the plants underneath. In late summer infestations are conspicuous as a result of its abundant showy white flowers." Murray Page, late August, 2012 |
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Flowers The flowers are fragrant. They are very similar to the native Virgin's Bower, Clematis virginiana, but the native clematis has mostly 3-parted leaves with toothed edges. In seed, the invasive Sweet Autumn Clematis has feathery styles. The styles of Virgin's Bower are smooth and threadlike. Murray Page, Southport, late August, 2012 |
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Leaf The leaves are compound, usually with 5 leaflets that have smooth edges. |
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