Bloomipedia
Autumn clematis (Clematis terniflora)
Photo: Michael Pirrello via iNaturalist · CC BY 4.0 · resized

Flower profile

Autumn clematis

Clematis terniflora

Autumn clematis (Clematis terniflora) is a vine in the Ranunculaceae family, introduced in the lower 48 states, blooming mostly August–September across the U.S.

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–September.

32states where USDA records it
4Bloomipedia state lists include it
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.

  • 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–September. iNaturalist
  • In Maryland, most iNaturalist sightings of it in flower come in August–September. iNaturalist
  • iNaturalist has 2,216 research-grade sightings of it in Virginia, ranking #77 among the 189 flowers on our Virginia list. iNaturalist
  • iNaturalist has 1,881 research-grade sightings of it in Maryland, ranking #66 among the 189 flowers on our Maryland list. iNaturalist
  • iNaturalist has 1,027 research-grade sightings of it in New Jersey, ranking #90 among the 186 flowers on our New Jersey list. iNaturalist

When does it bloom?

Flowering records by month across the U.S. (iNaturalist research-grade observations marked “Flowering”) (1,723 records)
Bloom time in the 4 states whose Bloomipedia list includes it
StateTypePeak bloomSightings*
VirginiaIntroducedAugust–September2,216
MarylandIntroducedAugust–September1,881
New JerseyIntroducedAugust–September1,027
DelawareIntroducedAugust–September234

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
State rare plant lists
Not listed Not on the official rare plant list in 4 of our 4 states.
See each state
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.

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.

Names, range and relatives

Native status by region (USDA PLANTS): Canada: Introduced; Lower 48 states: Introduced.

County records: USDA PLANTS lists it in 278 counties across 30 states; the most are in Virginia (70), Louisiana (32), Arkansas (19).

Other Clematis on Bloomipedia (6): Virgin's bower, Old man's beard clematis, Hairy clematis, Western white clematis, Swamp leatherflower, Purple clematis.

More from the Ranunculaceae family (48 on Bloomipedia; most observed first): Lesser celandine, Rue anemone, Red columbine, Wood anemone, Western columbine, Marsh marigold, White baneberry, Round-lobed hepatica.

More Virginia flowers

Lesser celandine (Ficaria verna)

Lesser celandine

Ficaria verna

Introduced

🌼 Blooms in VA: March–April
Rue anemone (Thalictrum thalictroides)

Rue anemone

Thalictrum thalictroides

Native

🌼 Blooms in VA: March–May
Red columbine (Aquilegia canadensis)

Red columbine

Aquilegia canadensis

Native

🌼 Blooms in VA: April–July

Sources