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California clematis
Scientific Name: Clematis ligusticifolia var. californica
Family: Ranunculaceae
Category: Dicot
Growth: Vine
Duration: Perennial
Other Names:
Clematis lasiantha: Pipestem Clematis
Clematis lasiantha, commonly known as Pipestem Clematis, is a beautiful flowering vine native to California.
Considerations for Pets
- As a vine, Clematis lasiantha can climb structures, potentially creating access to higher areas for pets.
Taxonomy and Nomenclature
- Scientific Name: Clematis lasiantha
- Common Names: Pipestem Clematis, California Clematis, Chaparral Clematis
- Family: Ranunculaceae
- Also mentioned: Clematis ligusticifolia (Western White Clematis, Western Virgin's Bower) which is similar to Clematis lasiantha and can sometimes be confused with it. Clematis ligusticifolia var. californica is also mentioned.
Distribution and Habitat
- Clematis lasiantha is native to California and found throughout western North America. It thrives in chaparral environments.
- Another species, Clematis ligusticifolia, grows well on the coast from Baja through Northern California.
Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits
- Clematis lasiantha is a liana vine.
- It blooms from April to May, displaying many small, creamy-white, fragrant flowers.
- The flowers are small, about 1/4 to 1 inch in size, and solitary.
- It is a perennial herb or vine.
- It is a deciduous vine that can grow up to 20 feet.
Ecological Role
- Clematis lasiantha is attractive to bees and butterflies.
Quirky Facts
- There was a widespread belief that clematis would not grow in Southern California, which has since been disproven.
- Edith Malek is known as the "Clematis Queen" of Orange County and grows over 200 varieties of clematis. She founded the American Clematis Society, originally known as the Southern California Clematis Society.
Cultivation and Use
- Clematis can be used to adorn pergolas, archways, trees, or other structures.
- They thrive in full sun.
- They are versatile plants that provide blooms from late winter to late fall, especially in regions with long growing seasons like California.
- Chalk Hill Clematis is a Northern California farm specializing in growing clematis as cut flowers, with the season running from May through October.
Further Information
- California Flora Native Plant Nursery (707) 528-8813
- Statewide IPM Program, Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of California, offers information about managing clematis pests.
- Plant recommendations for Clematis from Ron Vanderhoff for southern California can be found on www.theMulch.com.
- EBSCOhost provides access to articles like "Top clematis for Southern California."
- College of California. Clematis lasiantha. Pipestem Clematis ID: 8120 3181 4901
- 1998 California Academy of Sciences. Clematis lasiantha