Explore Plants
Native Plant Database
Search for native plants by scientific name, common name or family. If you are not sure what you are looking for, try the Combination Search or our Recommended Species lists.
Lytle, Melody
Clematis texensis Buckl.
Scarlet clematis, Scarlet leatherflower, Texas clematis
Ranunculaceae (Buttercup Family)
USDA Symbol: CLTE2
USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.
Scarlet leather-flower or scarlet clematis is an herbaceous to slightly woody vine, climbing no more than 9 ft. Bell-shaped flowers, blooming only on new growth, are held in axillary clusters of one to seven. The flower petals are actually thick, leather-like, scarlet-colored sepals. A feathery ball of plumed seeds follows the floral display. Stems are bare for the first two feet.
This is a very hardy and drought tolerant clematis. In ideal, sunny conditions, blooms may last until the first frost.
View herbarium specimen from Harry T. Cliffe Bexar Regional Herbarium.
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Vine
Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Size Class: 6-12 ft.
Size Notes: 6-9 feet.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: RedBloom Time: Mar , Apr , May , Jun , Jul
Distribution
USA: TXNative Distribution: Endemic to Edwards Plateau, TX
Native Habitat: Texas endemic. Edwards Plateau. Well-drained limestone, loam, sand. Limestone cliffs; rocky slopes; streamsides
USDA Native Status: L48(N)
Growing Conditions
Water Use: LowLight Requirement: Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Moist
Cold Tolerant: yes
Heat Tolerant: yes
Soil Description: Rocky, limestone soils. Sandy, Sandy Loam, Medium Loam, Limestone-based
Conditions Comments: With a delicate vine form, rounded spade-shaped leaves and red, urn-shaped flowers, this plant provides a subtle, beautiful accent to a shady, moist area. It blooms best with half a day of sun, and blooms may continue until the first frost. This is a very hardy and drought tolerant clematis.
Benefit
Use Ornamental: Twines on fences & other plantsUse Medicinal: Tea from dried, chopped stems reported as treatment for headache, especially migraine. Tincture formerly used as counter-irritant.
Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Interesting Foliage: yes
Nectar Source: yes
Deer Resistant: Moderate
Propagation
Propagation Material: Softwood CuttingsDescription: Plant seed outdoors in the fall or store and stratify before planting. Single, internodal, softwood cuttings taken in summer can be rooted, although this species does not root readily. Clematis spp. are also propagated by late summer layerings.
Seed Collection: Gather seeds when they are no longer green but before the cluster of achenes completely dries and drops the seeds to the ground. Remain viable up to two years without refrigeration.
Seed Treatment: Moist stratify at 41 degrees for 60-90 days.
Commercially Avail: yes
Maintenance: After freezing weather cut stems back to ground as this clematis blooms on new wood.
Mr. Smarty Plants says
Question: I have a narrow strip of yard (about 3ft) between my covered patio and privacy fence. Since the fence itself lacks visual interest, I'd like to find a vine to grow on the fence to give the background to my patio area some "life." I would like something that will not destroy the fence (like Wisteria tends to do) and something that clings pretty tight since there is not much room for the vine to grow out from the fence. I'm most interested in an evergreen with flowers, but have also considered Boston Ivy since its fall color is interesting. This area receives partial shade most of the day and hot Western sun for a few hours in the late afternoon. Would love to hear your suggestions?
click here to view the full question and answer
From the National Organizations Directory
According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center - Austin, TX
Bibliography
Landscaping with Native Plants of Texas and the Southwest (1991) Miller, G. O.* Native Alternatives to Invasive Plants (2006) Burrell, C. C.
* Native Texas Plants: Landscaping Region by Region (2002) Wasowski, S. & A. Wasowski
Shinners & Mahler's Illustrated Flora of North Central Texas (1999) Diggs, G. M.; B. L. Lipscomb; B. O'Kennon; W. F...
* Wildflowers of Texas (2003) Ajilvsgi, Geyata.
* Wildflowers of the Texas Hill Country (1989) Enquist, M.
Search More Titles in Bibliography
Recommended Species Lists
Find native plant species by state. Each list contains commercially available species suitable for gardens and planned landscapes. Once you have selected a collection, you can browse the collection or search within it using the combination search.
View Recommended Species pageAdditional resources
USDA: Find Clematis texensis in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Clematis texensis in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Clematis texensis
Metadata
Record Modified: 2009-04-24Research By: TWC Staff, GDB
