Newport Beach Environmental Nature Center, Newport Beach, CA. 8-02-08 . © Joan Avise.

Virgin's Bower

Clematis ligusticifolia

Ranunculaceae

Blooms in summer (Apr-Aug.) while the other two local species of Clematis bloom in spring (Jan-June).  This species is generally found in riparian habitats where it often grows high into trees and in chaparral at the edge of oak woodlands. There are 5-15 leaflets, with 3 coarsely toothed lobes. It has two-to many-flowered inflorescences with 25-50 stamens and 25-65 pistils. Single seeded achenes are hairy. 

Back to Ranunculaceae of Orange County, California
Back to Eudicots of Orange County, California
Back to Natural History of Orange County, California


Clustered flowers cover the plant in bloom. Riley Wilderness Park, Coto de Caza, Orange Co., CA. 7-12-08

Riley Wilderness Park, Coto de Caza, Orange Co., CA. 7-12-08

El Moro Canyon, Crystal Cove State Park, Orange County, CA. 7-23-15. © Peter J. Bryant

El Moro Canyon, Crystal Cove State Park, Orange County, CA. 7-23-15. © Peter J. Bryant

Oso Creek, W Los Alisos, MV, 8-22-13. © Ron Vanderhoff

El Moro Canyon, Crystal Cove State Park, Orange County, CA. 7-23-15. © Peter J. Bryant