Pitcher's clematis

Images

Click on image to view full size

Pitcher's clematis inflorescence

Pitcher's clematis flower

Pitcher's clematis

Pitcher's clematis leaves

Pitcher's clematis achenes

Pitcher's clematis achenes

Pitcher's clematis flower

Morphology

Stem

Vine, somewhat woody, up to many feet in length, climbing on other vegetation or scrambling along ground, pubescent to glabrous.

Leaves

Opposite, variable in shape, size and texture, pinnately-compound; leaflets 3-11, (usually 3-5), lance-ovate to cordate-ovate, firm, prominently net-veined, glabrous; surfaces green; margins entire but lowest and largest sometimes 2-3-lobed, occasionally deeply so; largest leaflets 1.2 to 3.6 inches long, 1 to 2+ inches wide; smaller leaflets often with tendril-like stalks; apical leaflet sometimes represented tendrils.

Inflorescence

Solitary flowers, in leaf axils, long-stalked, nodding; pair of bracts near base.

Flower

Calyx urn-shaped; sepals 4, petal-like, .4 to 1.4 inch long, leathery, outer surface dull purplish, inner surface darker purple; margins pubescent; tips curved backward; petals absent; stamens numerous.

Fruit

Achenes in spherical heads; each achene .3 to .5 inch long, silky-pubescent near base, tipped by persistent, tail-like style .4 to 1.2 inch long, curved, partially glabrous to silky-hairy.

Ecology

Habitat

Near streams, low or rocky open woods, thickets, fence rows; level ground or slopes; dry or moist soils.

Distribution

East 1/2 of Kansas.

Additional Notes