NC Native Plant Society:
Plant Details

Clematis terniflora

Sweet Autumn Virginsbower, Leatherleaf Clematis

Scientific Name:	Clematis terniflora
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
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
Leaf The leaves are compound, usually with 5 leaflets that have smooth edges.
Links:	USDA PLANTS Database Record