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Clematis microphylla

Posted Thu, 06/05/2010 - 20:35 by locust
Common Names: 
Small-leaved Clematis

A vigorous climber with finely divided pale green foliage, tangled stems and creamy coloured flowers in winter. Male and female flowers are produced on seperate plants (this is called 'dioeceious' in botanical lingo, meaning 'two houses'). The male blossom is more abundant and the plant is perhaps more attractive in flower, however the female flowers, produced more sparingly and with green central stigmas, are followed by seedheads with fluffy, silvery 'beards'. These seeds give wild Clematis in England the common name of 'Old-man's Beard', a name that is sometimes applied to Australian species.

Distribution: 

Occurs in many vegetation types. On the Volcanic Plain it is most prominent on Escarpment Shrubland, Streambank Shrubland and Stony Knoll Shrubland.

Ecology: 

The tangled growth habit make this an attractive place for nest building. The perfumed winter flowers attracts a variety of insect life including small flies, a bonanza which is appreciated by small insectivorous birds at a difficult time of year. The old seeds make valuable nest building material.

Gardening Hints: 

In the Volcanic Plain vegetation types near Melbourne, this is one of the few species with a vigorous climbing habit. As such it is very valuable in indigenous gardens. The plant will develop a very untidy (and flammable) accumulation of stems after a few years but the plant will usually regrow rapidly following a severe cleanup. If a female plant is grown, seedlings are likely to appear in various corners of the garden.