Virgin's Bower, Clematis
virginiana
Ranunculaceae or Buttercup Family
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Sprawling, clambering vine with clusters of pure
white flowers having 4 petals (actually sepals) and many
stamens. The leaves have 3 coarsely-toothed leaflets and
come in pairs. Fruit is a distinctive cluster of seeds
with long hairy tails, sometimes called an old man's beard.
Blooms in mid to late summer. Native of open sunny, moist thickets, growing over other plants. Common in the Park, especially under the powerline. Also occurs as a weed in many people's yards. Leatherflower (C viorna)
has similar fruits and somewhat similar, although usually
untoothed, leaves, but the flowers are very different, and it
blooms in the spring to early summer. |
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