Classification Hierarchy
Kingdom Plantae
Subkingdom Tracheophyta
Superdivision Spermatophyta
Division Magnoliophyta
Class Magnoliopsida
Subclass Magnoliidae
Order Ranunculales
Family Ranunculaceae
Genus Clematis
Species Clematis pitcheri
Bellflower clematis

Date: XXXXXXXX 2010. Location: XXXXXXXXX(map)

USDA Plant Profile Flora of N. America

Scientific Name: Clematis pitcheri

Common Name: Bellflower clematis

Origin: Native

Notes: Two varieties of this viny perennial are recognized, var. pitcheri and var. dictyota. Only var. pitcheri has been recorded in Iowa. It's preferred habitat is thickets and the borders of woodlands. Nodding, bell shaped, purplish flowers with thick reflexed sepals make it easy to distinguish from Iowa's two other Clematis species. It is most abundant in the southern half of the state. This species is highly variable and is typically found in dry to moist wooded areas with limestone outcrops, thickets and disturbed areas.

Additional references:

Field Marks for Identification:

Flowers: May; blue to reddish purple often becoming white or green at the reflexed tip of the sepals; single bell-shaped nodding flowers on long pedicels originate in leaf axiles from the upper part of the stem; fruit is a long beaked achene.

Leaves: opposite; petiolate, variable, usually compound and 1 pinnate, blades oval to lanceolate, 1-3.5 inches long; petioles and stems slightly pilose or glabrous.

Glossaries of botanical terms: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11.

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