Resource Database

oriental virginsbower
Clematis orientalis L.

Appearance
Clematis orientalis is a deciduous perennial woody vine. It can climb and grows from 7-26 ft. (2-8 m) long and has longitudinally fissured or ridged gray-brown bark. C. orientalis is native to eastern and southeastern Europe as well as temperate and tropical Asia.
Foliage
Leaves of C. orientalis arranged opposite on the stem. Leaves are divided with from three to seven leaflets. Leaflets are lanceolate to elliptic to ovate usually with two to three lobes.
Flowers
C. orientalis flowers have four yellow to greenish-yellow sepals each about one inch long. Flowers can be single or in clusters, on stems up to 4 inches long
Fruit
Fruits of C. orientalis consist of rounded clusters of fluffy winged seeds (achenes).
Ecological Threat
C. orientalis is generally seen invading riparian areas in shrublands and riparian forests in hot, dry valleys, desert and semidesert areas. It has spread rapidly since the mid 1970’s, becoming invasive and overgrowing young trees and other native plant species.


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