Clematis socialis is a small, colonial (patch-forming) herb that may reach 0.3 m (12 in.) in height. The most distinctive feature of the species is the combination of a rhizomatous growth habit and the formation of dense clones of erect, low, one- to few-flowered shoots. Leaves are variable from the base to the apex of the stem. The lowermost leaves are scale-like, oblong or triangular in shape, and mostly under 1 cm (0.39 in.) long; median leaves are simple, mostly elliptic-linear in shape, 4-12 cm (1.6-4.7 in.) long, and 0.5-1 cm (0.2-0.39 in.) wide; and upper leaves are 3-5 foliate and shaped as in the median leaves. Flowers are solitary, located at the tips of slender stems, urn to bell-shaped, 2-3 cm (0.79-1.18 in.) long, and blue-violet in color. Fruits are aggregates of achenes that are densely pubescent and 2.5-3 cm (0.98-1.18 in.) in length.