Clematis morefieldii

Morefield's Leather Flower

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Overview

Clematis morefieldii is a perennial vine in the buttercup family (Ranunculaceae). It was first collected by Morefield in the early 1980s from Round Top Mountain in Madison County, Alabama, and later described by Kral (1987). This species is a member of the Viornae subsection of Clematis, which is noted for its narrow endemics. Clematis species in this subsection are distinguished by urn-shaped flowers, which occur singly or in few-flowered groups in leaf axils. Their primary flower stalks (peduncles) are subtended by leafy bracts. Clematis morefieldii is closely related to C. viorna, a more variable species; however, C. morefieldii is distinguished from C. viorna by dense white hairs on its shoots, velvety lower leaf surfaces, and stouter, usually shorter (15 to 25 mm or 0.6-1 in. long) peduncles with sessile to nearly sessile bracts at the base. Clematis morefieldii attains lengths up to 5 m (16 ft.) and has compound leaves reaching lengths of 20 cm (8 in.). Leaves have 9-11 leaflets and the terminal 1-3 leaflets form tendrils. The flowers, which are present from May to July, are pinkish in color and 20-25 mm (0.8-1 in.) long. Fruits are clusters of hairy achenes.

Scientific Name

Clematis morefieldii
Common Name
Morefield's leather flower
Huntsville vasevine
Morefield''s Leather Flower
FWS Category
Flowering Plants
Kingdom

Location in Taxonomic Tree

Identification Numbers

TSN:

Geography

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