Transcript Virgin`s Bower (Clematis virginiana)

Virgin’s Bower
(Clematis virginiana)
Family: Ranunculacea From the Latin rana, a frog, because of the
damp places it often is found.
Genus: Clematis (KLEM-uh-tiss) From the Ancient Greek for "long,
lithe branches" and is an ancient name for some climbing plants or
vines. Alternative Pronunciation: klem-AT-iss.
Species: virginiana (vir-jin-ee-AN-uh) Means native to Virginia, USA
and derives from Queen Elizabeth I of England, the virgin queen.
Also called devil’s darning needles
Virgin’s bower is in the buttercup family. It is our only wild clematis
which grows near the forest edge in Altona Forest. Other members of
this genus are widely planted as ornamentals. It is a vine which can
grow from 3 to 6 m tall and woody at the base. Other names include
devil's-darning-needle and virgin's-bower.
Virgin’s Bower
The leaf is easily confused with
other clematis. Virgin's bower’s
leaves are opposite, compound
with three leaflets and have
coarse teeth. They are 2 to 12 cm
wide.
Future photo here.
The leaves are naturally corrosive so they are dangerous.
Virgin’s Bower
The fluffy white to greenish
white flowers, about 3 cm
wide, appear in July to
September. The flowers
have 4 parts and develop
from the leaf axils.
Future photo here.
Virgin’s Bower
The fruit contain seeds
which are decorated with
long, feathery plumes
which look like a beard,
thus one of the common
names “Old Man’s Beard.”
The fruit matures by late
August.
They persist into winter.
Future photo here.
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