Clematis heracleifolia DC.

This is a hardy, herbaceous, woody-based perennial of open habit with toothed, deeply 3-lobed leaves and scented, tubular, purple flowers, produced in whorled racemes in summer.  [RHSE, Hortus, Don].

Horticultural & Botanical History

‘A handsome but singular-looking Clematis, with an upright, slightly branched stem, long petioled leaves, and clusters of blue flowers.  These leaves have rather the appearance of some Actaea.  It is a native of northern China, and has flowered in the greenhouse of the “United Gardeners’ Nursery Society”, King’s Road, Chelsea, under the care of Messrs. Weeks and Day, whence it was obligingly sent, in great beauty, by Mr. Makowski.’  [BM t.4269/1846].

Under the name C. tubulosa this plant was introduced to Britain in 1845 [JD] and first flowered in England in 1847 by the Horticultural Society. 

History at Camden Park

Listed only in the 1857 catalogue [T.324/1857].  Obtained from Kew Gardens, brought out from England by Captain P. P. King in 1849.  Believed by Macarthur to be new to the colony although he seems to have had some doubts about it as there is a question mark against it in the confirmatory list sent to King.  [ML A1980-3].  Plants were sent to the Sydney Botanic Garden in 1853.  [RBGS AB].

Notes

Published Mar 08, 2009 - 04:46 PM | Last updated Jul 29, 2010 - 05:57 PM


Figured are vine-like leaves and panicle of long-tubed purple flowers.  Curtis's botanical Magazine t.4269, 1846.

Clematis heracleifolia DC. | BM t.4269/1846 | BHL

More details about Clematis heracleifolia DC.
Family Ranunculaceae
Category
Region of origin

China

Synonyms
  • Clematis tubulosa Turcz.
  • Clematis azurea Hort. 
Common Name
Name in the Camden Park Record

Clematis tubulosa

Confidence level high