Virginia Tech Dendrology

rock clematis Ranunculaceae Clematis columbiana (Nutt.) Torr. & A. Gray symbol: CLCO2
Leaf: Opposite, deciduous, trifoliate; individual leaflets oval to cordate with entire margins, may be deeply lobed.
Flower: Species is usually dioecious; showy, nodding pale purple flowers with 4 pointed hairy sepals.
Fruit: Small dry brown seeds with a long white feathery plume, borne in thin pompom-like heads, can be nearly as showy as the flowers.
Twig: Initially green, and changing to red-brown, numerous ridges, wiry, climbs by twining.
Bark: Initially smooth and red-brown, later developing long splits.
Form: A creeping or low-climbing vine to 12 feet.
Looks like: virgin's bower - white clematis

Additional Range Information: Clematis columbiana is native to North America. Range may be expanded by planting. Download the full-size PDF map.
External Links: USDA Plants Database
All material 2021 Virginia Tech Dept. of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation; Photos and text by: John Seiler, Edward Jensen, Alex Niemiera, and John Peterson; Silvics reprinted from Ag Handbook 654; range map source information