Stems viny, climbing or trailing (plants scarcely viny perennials in var. dissecta). Leaf blade 1-ternate (or terminal leaflet sometimes ternate in var. dissecta), ± firm but not succulent; leaflets lance-ovate to triangular or suborbiculate, lobed or unlobed, margins entire or toothed. Flowers: sepals violet-blue, reddish violet, or white, lanceolate to ovate or elliptic-oblong.

Distribution

North America.

Discussion

Varieties 3 (3 in the flora).

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

Clematis occidentalis var. dissecta, Clematis occidentalis var. grosseserrata, Clematis occidentalis var. occidentalis

Key

1	Leaflets lobed or unlobed, margins entire or crenate-serrate (or terminal leaflet sometimes ternate); stems tufted or, if viny, up to 0.5(–1.5) m.	Clematis occidentalis var. dissecta
1	Leaflets unlobed or some 1–3-lobed, margins entire or shallowly serrate; stems ± viny, climbing or trailing, 0.25–3.5 m.	> 2
2	Sepals reddish violet, rounded-mucronate to nearly acuminate.	Clematis occidentalis var. occidentalis
2	Sepals violet-blue to pale blue, rarely white, usually distinctly acuminate.	Clematis occidentalis var. grosseserrata