Rastabotanist

Clematis gentianoides

Rastabotanist
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Order:	Ranunculales
Family:	Ranunculaceae
Genus:	Clematis
Species:	C. gentianoides
Binomial name
Clematis gentianoides L.

Clematis gentianoides, also commonly known as bushy Clematis or rock Clematis, is a small shrub endemic to Tasmania. It has showy white flowers on erect stems arising from a rhizome . It is widespread in grasslands and dry sclerophyll bush in the East of the state. Interestingly, even though the Greek derivation of the work 'Clematis' means climber, this species is non-climbing. It is cultivated by home gardeners admired for its fluffy white seed clusters.

Description

The plant grows to around 50cm high and wide with creeping underground rhizomes that regrow new stems each year. Leaves are simple and opposite. Petiole and petiolules not acting as tendrils; lamina broadly ovate to narrowly lanceolate, 2–10 cm long, 0.7–3.3 cm wide, entire or coarsely toothed, acute to obtuse, rather thick, glabrous. It is a dioecious species with male and female flowers appearing on separate plants. White flowers are made up of four to eight petals 2-4cm in width through spring and into summer. Male flowers are made up of silky stamens, whilst the plumed styles on female flowers develop into attractive fluffy clusters of seeds, appearing in later summer. Roots are thick and tuberous and well adapted to rocky, poor soils.  

Taxonomy

Clematis is a genus of terrestrial, woody perennial herbs or sometimes shrubs which are well known in cultivation with a number of exotic species and cultivars being widely grown in many parts of the world. Clematis is a member of the Ranunculaceae family, which includes anemones, peonies, buttercups and aquilegias. The derivation of the name Clematis is from Greek, meaning, climber. Gentianoides – oides, Greek derivative, means ‘like’, referring to the leaves of this Clematis resembling those found on gentians. Interestingly this specimen, C.gentianoides is a non-climber, unlike most others in species in the genus. There exists to date well over 300 species in the genus occurring mainly in temperate and arctic regions of the Northern Hemisphere. There are 11 endemic Australian species . A detailed revision of the genus in Australia is required. Many of the dioecious species overlap in the extremes of variation of most of their characters.

Distribution and Habitat

Endemic to Tasmania, it is most commonly found in poor soils, grasslands and dry sclerophyll bush in the East of the state. Most reports are between Bicheno and Hobart areas with disjunct sightings in the Launceston area . One historical collection has been made on Flinders Island which requires confirmation.

Cultivation

Unlike other Clematis this species can survive in poor soils provided they are free draining, this plant does not tolerate waterlogged soils. If planting in heavy soils, sand or shell grit should be dug in and the soil beds raised to increase drainage. However if conditions are clearly not favorable, plants can be grown successfully in a pot large enough to allow room for rhizomes to spread.

In the garden C. gentianoides grows well in protected sites, from filtered to full sun, and will benefit from mulch around the roots to protect the rhizomes. During winter-spring the plants may be pruned to ensure a bountiful display of starry white flowers in the summer. Prune back to a strong pair of buds up to 50cm above the surface.

The off-cuts may then be used to take cuttings of the plants, which should be 10cm long with at least two nodes. Cuttings will strike in approximately 4-5 weeks and require temperatures of 20° - 25° C (68° - 77° F), preferably grown in a hot house. Alternatively propagation techniques such as laying and division of rhizomes produce excellent results. The plant can also be propagated from seed, which must be collected and sown when fresh. Seeds will germinate after 2-12 months depending on the ripeness. Often they will germinate with frosts, which may possibly be a trigger for germination.