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western white clematis

Scientific Name: Clematis ligusticifolia

Family: Ranunculaceae

Category: Dicot

Growth: Vine

Duration: Perennial

Other Names:

       

Western White Clematis (Clematis ligusticifolia)

Clematis ligusticifolia, commonly known as Western White Clematis, is a climbing vine native to North America. Its showy flowers and distinctive seed heads make it a notable plant in its habitat.

Common Names

  • Western White Clematis
  • White Virgin's Bower
  • Pepper Vine
  • Virgin's Bower
  • Old Man's Beard
  • Traveler's Joy
  • Yerba de Chiva
  • Hierba de Chivo
  • Creek Clematis
  • Western Virgin's Bower
  • Deciduous Traveler's-joy
  • White Clematis
  • Leatherflower

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

  • Scientific Name: Clematis ligusticifolia Nutt.
  • Family: Ranunculaceae (Buttercup Family)
  • Synonyms: Clematis brevifolia
  • Taxonomic Rank: Species; variety: Clematis ligusticifolia Nutt. var. ligusticifolia

Considerations for Pets

  • Medicinal, but toxic if ingested.

Considerations for Children

  • Medicinal, but toxic if ingested.

Distribution and Habitat

  • Native to North America, widespread across the western United States.
  • Also found outside of California, confined to western North America.
  • Prefers locations like moist soil and can be found clambering through bushes and over trees.
  • Grows along the ground and is tangled into treetops.

Morphological Characteristics

  • Deciduous climber growing to 5 meters (16ft 5in).
  • Flowers are creamy white, narrowly oblong-lanceolate, 6-15 mm long, and appear in several-flowered bracteate panicles. Sepals are 4.
  • Produces white puffball seedheads. Each seed has a feathery plume.
  • Leaves are notched.

Ecological Role

  • Attracts bees and butterflies with its flowers.
  • Serves as a butterfly larval host.
  • Can be used for erosion control and landscape purposes.

Flowering and Fruiting

  • Flowers from August to September.
  • Seeds ripen from August to September.

Historical Uses

  • Used medicinally by the Costanoan, Dakota, and Gosiute tribes.

Additional Information

  • Hardy to zone (UK) 5.
  • Requires sunlight on the roots to thrive.