autumn clematis (Clematis terniflora) — identification, habitat & look-alikes

Autumn clematis, better known in the United States as sweet autumn clematis, is an East Asian vine with fragrant white flowers. Autumn clematis escapes gardens, grows along roadsides and forest edges, and is invasive in parts of the eastern United States.

Appearance

Growth form: A fast-growing, twining perennial vine can climb 15–30 ft (4.6–9.1 m) high and spread just as wide.
Leaves: Opposite leaves usually have three to five glossy leaflets. Mature leaflets generally have smooth edges.
Flowers: Fragrant white flowers appear in branching clusters from late summer into fall. The four white, petal-like parts are , not true petals.
Flowering time: In North Carolina, flowering is reported from August through October.
Fruit: Each flattened develops a long feathery tail, making the mature seed heads look silvery and fluffy.

Look-alikes

virgin's-bowerClematis virginiana

Native virgin's-bower has clearly toothed leaflet edges. Sweet autumn clematis usually has smooth-edged mature leaflets.

Why they get mixed upBoth are climbing vines with masses of small white flowers and overlapping common names.

Where it lives

Typical habitats: forest edges
roadsides and rights-of-way
stream edges
fences and garden structures
Range: Native to East Asia, it has naturalized widely in the eastern and midwestern United States and is considered invasive in several eastern states.
Preferred conditions: It grows vigorously in full sun or partial shade and climbs nearby shrubs, trees, and structures.
Flowering: Flowers Aug–Oct
Flowers Aug–Oct

Life cycle

Reproduction: It spreads by seed, , and runners, which helps escaped plants form large patches.

Cautions

Cautions: Sap can irritate skin, and eating the plant can cause severe mouth and digestive irritation.

Name and classification

About the name: This species has named varieties, including Clematis terniflora mandshurica and Clematis terniflora garanbiensis.

Conservation

IUCN Red List: NENot EvaluatedNot yet assessed
Threats: Dense vines can cover other vegetation and reduce the light reaching plants underneath.

Culture and stories

Culture and stories: It was introduced to the United States as an ornamental.
In North Carolina, gardeners are advised to consider other vines because sweet autumn clematis can spread invasively.

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