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Bransford, W.D. and Dolphia

Clematis columbiana

Clematis columbiana (Nutt.) Torr. & A. Gray

Rock Clematis

Ranunculaceae (Buttercup Family)

Synonym(s):

USDA Symbol: CLCO2

USDA Native Status: L48 (N)

A slender-stemmed, sometimes creeping, semi-woody perennial that may attain a length of 10-12 ft. The nodding, blue to reddish-purple flowers are solitary on short branches from the axils of three-parted leaves. Flowers are followed by a fragile, plumed seedhead.

An excellent garden plant for areas east of the Cascades.

From the Image Gallery

5 photo(s) available in the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Vine
Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Fruit Type: Achene
Size Notes: Stems climbing or trailing, up to about 12 feet long.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: White , Blue , Purple
Bloom Time: Apr , May , Jun , Jul , Aug , Sep , Oct
Bloom Notes: Rarely white. Occasionally flowers in fall on new growth.

Distribution

USA: AZ , CO , ID , MT , ND , NM , OR , SD , TX , UT , WA , WY
Native Distribution: E. of the Cascades from B.C. to n.e. OR, e. to Alt., MT & CO
Native Habitat: Wooded or open areas, often on talus slopes

Growing Conditions

Light Requirement: Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Dry
Soil Description: Dry to moist soils.
Conditions Comments: An excellent garden plant for areas east of the Cascades.

Find Seed or Plants

View propagation protocol from Native Plants Network.

Bibliography

Bibref 841 - Native Alternatives to Invasive Plants (2006) Burrell, C. C.

Search More Titles in Bibliography

Web Reference

Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.
Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter

Additional resources

USDA: Find Clematis columbiana in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Clematis columbiana in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Clematis columbiana

Metadata

Record Modified: 2023-05-04
Research By: TWC Staff

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