Clematis virginiana L.
Wild clematis, virgin’s bower, old man’s beard, devil’s darning needles
Kingdom Plantae Plants, but not fungi, lichens, or algae
Subkingdom Tracheobionta Vascular plants—plants with a “circulatory system” for delivering water and nutrients
Division Magnoliophyta Flowering plants, also known as angiosperms
Class Magnoliopsida Dicotyledons—plants with two initial seed leaves
Subclass Magnoliidae Includes magnolias, nutmeg, bay laurel, cinnamon, avocado, black pepper, and many others
Order Ranunculales Basal (evolved earlier) eudicots, also called “true dicots”
Family Ranunculaceae Buttercup family
Genus Clematis In Greek means “long, lithe branches” and is an ancient name for some climbing plant
Species virginiana From or referring to Virginia
About plant names...
Wild clematis is a North American native vine. It is a member of the buttercup family.
Identification: This vine grows to 12-15′ (3.7-4.6 m), climbing with the
aid of twisted stems. Its leaf clusters are in groups of three, making it somewhat similar in appearance to
poison ivy , but its leaf clusters are opposite to each other,
while poison ivy's are alternate . Showy flower clusters are composed of fragrant white or cream flowers up to 1″ (2.5 cm)
across, with five petals. The flowers become soft, silky seeds, a distinctive characteristic.
Similar species:
8/20/2012 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton Center, Groton, Massachusetts · ≈ 8 × 5″ (19 × 13 cm)
(The leaves are mulberry.) · 9/1/2013 · Colonial Williamsburg, Williamsburg, Virginia
You are here Clematis virginiana
Toxicodendron radicans
Common Name
wild clematis
poison ivy
Plant
Vine 12-15′ (3.7-4.6 m) long.
A low plant, a bush, a vine on the ground, or a vine that climbs trees.
Flowers
Showy white or cream clusters, each flower about 1″ (2.5 cm) across, with five petals and many stamens.
Small, yellowish-green, inconspicuous.
Leaves
In clusters of three; clusters are opposite to each other, not alternating.
In groups of tree, shiny when young, alternating.
Seeds
Soft, silky fluffs.
Fruit
Small greenish-white berries.
Range/ Zones
USDA Zones: 3-8
Habitats
Low, moist woods; thickets; stream banks
Disturbed areas, roadsides, waste areas
Type
Wild
Wild
Occurrence
Common
Common
Edibility: Poisonous All parts of this plant are poisonous.
Causes severe mouth pain and mouth ulcers if eaten; also a skin irritant.
Medical: Some native Americans used extracts from wild
clematis for various ailments.
Online References:
Southeastern Flora, the Southeastern U.S. Plant Identification Resource
The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
Www.carolinanature.com
The Connecticut Botanical Society's Connecticut wildflowers site
Missouriplants.com
Minnesota Wildflowers
Illinois Wildflowers
8/8/2009 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton, Massachusetts · ≈ 1½ × 1′ (52 × 34 cm) ID is uncertain
8/20/2012 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton Center, Groton, Massachusetts · ≈ 7 × 4½″ (17 × 11 cm)
8/8/2009 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton, Massachusetts · ≈ 7 × 4½″ (17 × 11 cm) ID is uncertain
9/11/2010 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton Center, Groton, Massachusetts · ≈ 9 × 6″ (22 × 14 cm)
9/11/2010 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton Center, Groton, Massachusetts · ≈ 12 × 8″ (31 × 20 cm)
8/20/2010 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Ayer, Massachusetts · ≈ 4½ × 3″ (11 × 7.9 cm)
8/8/2009 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton, Massachusetts · ≈ 11 × 7″ (27 × 18 cm) ID is uncertain
8/20/2010 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Ayer, Massachusetts · ≈ 8 × 5″ (19 × 13 cm)
9/21/2012 · By Jacquelyn Boyt
8/20/2010 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Ayer, Massachusetts · ≈ 7 × 4½″ (17 × 11 cm)
Older scientific or horticultural names
Clematis virginiana L. var. missouriensis (Rydb.) Palmer & Steyerm.
Clematis virginiana description by Thomas H. Kent, last updated 16 Sep 2020.
© FloraFinder.org. All rights reserved.
9/11/2010 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton Center, Groton, Massachusetts · ≈ 7 × 4½″ (17 × 11 cm)
9/11/2010 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton Center, Groton, Massachusetts · ≈ 6 × 4″ (15 × 10 cm)
8/8/2009 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton, Massachusetts · ≈ 12 × 8″ (31 × 20 cm) ID is uncertain
10/5/2023 · Quill Hill, Rangeley, Maine ID is uncertain
8/20/2010 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Ayer, Massachusetts · ≈ 9 × 6″ (22 × 14 cm)
9/29/2010 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Ayer, Massachusetts · ≈ 5 × 3½″ (13 × 9.2 cm)
10/6/2023
8/20/2010 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Ayer, Massachusetts · ≈ 7 × 11″ (18 × 27 cm)
9/21/2012 · By Jacquelyn Boyt
9/11/2010 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton Center, Groton, Massachusetts · ≈ 11 × 7″ (27 × 18 cm)
9/1/2013 · Colonial Williamsburg, Williamsburg, Virginia
Range: Zones 3-8:
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