Ranunculaceae : Clematis ligusticifolia
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Family Name
Ranunculaceae
Common Name
Western virgin's bower, Western clematis
Native American Name
Lakota: čhaŋíyuwe skaská naȟčá
Description
Clematis ligusticifolia is a perennial, somewhat woody vine with smooth to hairy stems that grow several meters in length. The opposite, compound pinnate leaves are petiolate, with 3-7 leaflets that are coarsely toothed, ovate, and 2–6 cm long. The inflorescence consists of many-flowered, axillary panicles, with 4 white, petal-like sepals, 5-13 mm long, lacking petals. The plants are dioecious, with the male (staminate) flowers having numerous stamens, but lacking pistils. The female plants (pistilate) flowers have similar sepals, numerous, full size sterile stamens and multiple pistils. The fruit are hairy achenes, 2-4.5 mm long with plumose styles up to 6 cm long. Western virgin’s bower blooms in July and August and can be found climbing of trees, shrubs and rocks in western South Dakota.
Horticulture Notes
Seed collection: Fruits develop in late fall when the achenes become dark. The plumes make them easy to see and collect.
Germination: Remove the plumes and fall sow or store in a refrigerator until spring. Seeds have little dormancy.
Soils: Well-drained sandy, loamy to clay soils.
Light Full sun to partial shade.
Water: Medium-moist during the growing season.
Additional Notes
Western clematis can be a beautiful addition to a native plant garden. The flowers are very showy and attract many native bumblebee species. The female plant produce striking seedheads and numerous viable seeds. Selective planting of only male plants prevents the continuous emergence of new seedlings that will pop up every spring.