Flower profile

Autumn clematis

Clematis terniflora

Introduced in the lower 48

Autumn clematis is a flowering plant that USDA PLANTS lists as introduced in the lower 48 states. It's on our flower lists for 4 states, and across the U.S. it's most often seen in bloom in August–October.

32states

4of our state lists

16,580U.S. sightings*

*iNaturalist research-grade observations, as of October 17, 2026.

On our lists for: Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, Virginia

🚫

Regulated invasive plant in Maryland, New Jersey and Delaware. It's on those states' official invasive plant lists (Maryland: Prohibited invasive plant (some phase-outs run to 2028); New Jersey: Prohibited invasive plant (propagation banned from 2027, sale from 2030); Delaware: Invasive Plant List (sale and propagation prohibited)). Please don't plant or share it there. ^{MD prohibited invasive list NJ prohibited invasive list 3 DE Admin. Code 806}

Quick look

Clematis terniflora is a plant in the buttercup family, Ranunculaceae. It is native to northeastern Asia. It was introduced into the United States in the late 1800s as an ornamental garden plant, and has naturalized in many of the eastern states.
From Wikipedia's article Clematis terniflora, CC BY-SA 4.0.

It belongs to the Ranunculaceae family. ^iNaturalist
USDA PLANTS describes it as a vine with a perennial life cycle. ^{USDA PLANTS}
USDA PLANTS lists it as introduced in the lower 48 states and records it in 32 states. ^{USDA PLANTS}
NatureServe lists it as not native to Virginia, Maryland, New Jersey and Delaware. ^NatureServe
In Virginia, most iNaturalist sightings of it in flower come in August–October. ^iNaturalist
In Maryland, most iNaturalist sightings of it in flower come in August–October. ^iNaturalist
iNaturalist has 2,216 research-grade sightings of it in Virginia, ranking #75 among the 110 flowers on our Virginia list. ^iNaturalist
iNaturalist has 1,881 research-grade sightings of it in Maryland, ranking #64 among the 110 flowers on our Maryland list. ^iNaturalist
iNaturalist has 1,027 research-grade sightings of it in New Jersey, ranking #87 among the 110 flowers on our New Jersey list. ^iNaturalist

State flower gift ideas

This one is a regulated invasive plant, so here are state flower gifts instead.

🌱 Sample spot. Handmade gift picks from independent shops will appear here once our shop partnership is approved. These cards are placeholders, not real products.

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State flower print
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Birth-flower necklace
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Wildflower seed favors
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Botanical tea towel
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Pressed-flower frame
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Flower-garden mug
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When does it bloom?

Flowering records by month across the U.S. (iNaturalist research-grade observations marked “Flowering”) (1,723 records)

Bloom time in each of our 4 states

State	Type	Peak bloom	Sightings*
Virginia	Introduced	August–October	2,216
Maryland	Introduced	August–October	1,881
New Jersey	Introduced	August–October	1,027
Delaware	Introduced	August–October	234

Conservation status

Federal (U.S. ESA): Not listed No U.S. Endangered Species Act listing in the USFWS ECOS database. ^{USFWS ECOS}
NatureServe global: GNR Not yet ranked worldwide. ^NatureServe
Virginia: Not listed Not on Virginia endangered and threatened plant and insect species (2VAC5-320-10). NatureServe: SNA, not applicable (usually because it isn't native there) in Virginia. ^2VAC5-320-10
Maryland: Not listed Not on Maryland threatened and endangered plants (COMAR 08.03.08.05, .06 and .08). NatureServe: SNA, not applicable (usually because it isn't native there) in Maryland. ^{COMAR 08.03.08}
New Jersey: Not listed Not on New Jersey Endangered Plant Species List (N.J.A.C. 7:5C-5.1). NatureServe: SNA, not applicable (usually because it isn't native there) in New Jersey. ^{N.J.A.C. 7:5C-5.1}
Delaware: Not listed Not on Rare and Uncommon Plants of Delaware (DNREC, 2024; informational, Delaware has no state plant-protection list). NatureServe: SNA, not applicable (usually because it isn't native there) in Delaware. ^{DE rare plants 2024}
Rare elsewhere: No other U.S. state ranks it S1, S2, SH or SX.

Checked October 17, 2026. Rankings and lists can change, so follow the links for the latest.

Can you eat it?

For peoplePoisonous to people

NC State Extension lists it as poisonous to humans (severity: high). Poisonous parts: leaves, sap/juice. Symptoms they list: “Clematis can cause severe mouth pain and ulcers if eaten. Toxic to dogs, cats, horses. Clinical signs are salivation, vomiting, diarrhea. In humans, symptoms may include dizziness, confusion, fainting, and convulsions. Fatalities are rare, due to the rapid…” ^{NC State Extension}

For petsToxic to dogs, cats and horses

ASPCA's entry “Leatherflower” (Clematis sp), which covers the whole genus, lists it as toxic to dogs, cats and horses. Signs include: Salivation, vomiting… ^ASPCA

🌿 Never eat a wild plant unless you're certain of its ID; this isn't medical advice. Worried about a person? Call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222. Worried about a pet? Call your vet.

Where does it grow?

USDA PLANTS records autumn clematis in 32 states plus Washington, D.C.

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recorded by USDA PLANTS on our state lists not recorded

See the full list of states

Alabama, Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia; District of Columbia.

Virginia counties with USDA records: Accomack, Albemarle, Alleghany, Amherst, Appomattox, Arlington, Augusta, Botetourt, Brunswick, Buckingham, Campbell, Caroline, Carroll, Charles City, Charlotte, Chesapeake , Chesterfield, Clarke, Culpeper, Cumberland, Dinwiddie, Essex, Fairfax, Fauquier, Fluvanna, Gloucester, Grayson, Greensville, Halifax, Hampton , Hanover, Henrico, Isle of Wight, James City, King George, King William, King and Queen, Lancaster, Lee, Loudoun, Louisa, Lunenburg, Mathews, Mecklenburg, Middlesex, New Kent, Newport News , Northampton, Northumberland, Orange, Page, Patrick, Prince Edward, Prince George, Pulaski, Richmond, Rockbridge, Rockingham, Russell, Scott, Shenandoah, Smyth, Southampton, Stafford, Suffolk , Surry, Virginia Beach , Warren, Washington, Wythe.

New Jersey counties with USDA records: Bergen, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Essex, Gloucester, Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Morris, Passaic, Salem, Somerset, Sussex, Union, Warren.

More Virginia flowers

Lesser celandine

Ficaria verna

Introduced

🌼 Blooms in VA: March–April

Rue anemone

Thalictrum thalictroides

Native

🌼 Blooms in VA: March–May

Red columbine

Aquilegia canadensis

Native

🌼 Blooms in VA: April–August

Sources

USDA, NRCS. PLANTS Database, profile CLTE4.
iNaturalist, Clematis terniflora: taxonomy, research-grade observation counts and “Flowering” annotations, retrieved October 17, 2026.
Wikipedia, Clematis terniflora (lead quoted under CC BY-SA 4.0).
Virginia: Virginia endangered and threatened plant and insect species (2VAC5-320-10).
Virginia: Virginia noxious weeds (2VAC5-317-20, Tier 1, 2 and 3).
Maryland: Maryland threatened and endangered plants (COMAR 08.03.08.05, .06 and .08).
Maryland: Maryland Prohibited Invasive Plant List (COMAR 15.06.04.06; MDA, updated July 2026).
New Jersey: New Jersey Endangered Plant Species List (N.J.A.C. 7:5C-5.1).
New Jersey: New Jersey prohibited invasive plant species (Invasive Species Management Act; propagation banned from Jan 1, 2027, sale from Jan 1, 2030).
Delaware: Rare and Uncommon Plants of Delaware (DNREC, 2024; informational, Delaware has no state plant-protection list).
Delaware: Delaware Invasive Plant List (3 Del. Admin. Code § 806-3.0).
USFWS, ECOS species database (ESA listing check), October 17, 2026.
NatureServe Explorer, Clematis terniflora (global and state ranks).
Edibility and toxicity: NC State Extension; ASPCA.
Photo: Michael Pirrello via iNaturalist · CC BY 4.0 · resized.