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Causonis clematidea

slender grape

Vitaceae Eastern Australia

Attracts Pollinators Container Friendly

SunPart Shade – Full Shade

WaterMedium

HardinessZones 9–11

Overview

Causonis clematidea is a slender, evergreen to semi-deciduous climbing vine that scrambles 6-20 feet (2-6 m) high using forked tendrils opposite the leaves. The thin, herbaceous to slightly woody stems arise from a fleshy tuberous rootstock. Leaves are compound, divided into five toothed leaflets arranged like a bird's foot, each leaflet 1-3 inches (2.5-8 cm) long, light green and soft. Small greenish-cream flowers are carried in branched clusters opposite the leaves in summer. Round berries follow, about 0.3 inch (8 mm) across, ripening from green through red to black. The vine grows on rainforest margins, in moist gullies, and along creek banks, climbing over shrubs and fences. Stems die back in cold or dry conditions and reshoot from the tuber. Growth is fast in warm, moist weather, the light stems climbing without heavily shading their supports. The crushed foliage has a faint unpleasant smell.

Native Range

Causonis clematidea is native to eastern Australia, from Queensland through New South Wales to Victoria. It grows on rainforest edges, in moist eucalypt forest, and along shaded creek lines, on fertile, moisture-retentive soils in sheltered positions.

Suggested Uses

Causonis clematidea is grown on trellises, fences, and shrubs in shaded and rainforest-style gardens, spaced 3-6 feet (1-2 m) apart along a support. It gives quick light cover for screens and shaded structures. Its self-seeding by bird-spread berries and dieback habit suit informal gardens rather than formal settings.

How to Identify

Recognised by slender climbing stems with forked tendrils and compound leaves split into five toothed leaflets arranged like a bird's foot. Small greenish flowers in branched clusters are followed by berries ripening green to red to black. Distinguished from native grape (Cissus spp. species) by the five-part bird's-foot leaf rather than three leaflets or a simple leaf.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height6' - 20'

Width/Spread3' - 6'

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~6 weeks

Summer

Greenish-cream flowers appear in summer (December to February) in branched clusters opposite the leaves. The flowers are small and draw flies and small bees. Berries follow over the weeks after, ripening through autumn from green to red and finally black.

Detailed Descriptions

Foliage Description

light green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunPartial Shade SunFull Shade

Requires 2-6 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.5 - 7.0(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loam clay

Drainagemoist

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

tender

Time to Maturity

2-3 years

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Causonis clematidea grows in part shade to filtered light in moist, fertile, well-drained soil and grows more strongly with mulch and steady moisture. It tolerates full sun where roots stay cool and moist, and the top growth dies back in cold or dry spells, reshooting from the tuber. A trellis, fence, or shrub gives the tendrils support, and without one the vine sprawls over the ground. It grows fast in warm weather and can scramble several feet in a season. The berries are taken by birds, which spread the seed. The fleshy tuber lets established plants recover after being cut to the ground.

Pruning

Stems are cut back hard in late winter to control the spread and clear dead growth, and the vine reshoots from the tuber and lower stems. Wayward runners are trimmed through the growing season. The plant tolerates repeated hard cutting.