The achene seed pods of virgin’s-bower (Clematis virginiana) (Photo Credit: Christine Danforth).

This December, as you drive across the deciduous landscape, be on the lookout for virgin-bower’s (Clematis virginiana) achenes. An achene is a multi-seeded fruit in which each seed is attached to a thin pericarp (the ripened walls of a plant ovary) at only one point. Clematis seeds are wind dispersed as they maintain a feathery tail called a plume (plumose).

Clematis displaying is vining growth habit on this deciduous shrub (Photo Credit: Christine Danforth).

C. virginiana is in the Ranunculaceae, or the butter-cup family. This family encompasses around 45 genera of approximately 2000 flowering plants.

Clematis is somewhat of a generalist, it can be found in varying environments, ranging from forest, riparian and even wetland regions. The species is considered a woody vine, so be prepared to find the angular rachis twining up a supporting species. In the spring you will find opposite, toothed to finely toothed, trifoliate leaflets (generally 5). The rachis and petioles are long to aid the climbing nature of this plant (reported up to 20 feet long). The perennial late summer bloomer maintains 4 showy sepals (not true petals) that are reported to be nicely fragrant.

If you see something blooming, leafing out, ripening, or otherwise changing in your woods, send us photos (forestsforthebay@gmail.com) to include in next month’s Forests for the Bay newsletter for more phenological fun!