Clematis reticulata
Fl. Carol., 156. 1788.
Stems viny, to 4 m, glabrous or sparsely pilose-pubescent, sometimes more densely pubescent near nodes. Leaf blade 1-pinnate; leaflets 6-8 plus additional tendril-like terminal leaflet, elliptic to ovate, unlobed, 1-3-lobed, or proximal 3-foliolate, 1-9 × 0.5-5(-7.5) cm, leathery, prominently and finely reticulate abaxially and adaxially; surfaces abaxially silky-pubescent, not glaucous. Inflorescences axillary, 1-3-flowered; bracts about 1/3 distance from base of peduncle. Flowers urn-shaped; sepals pale lavender to purple, greenish toward tip, ovate-lanceolate, 1.2-3 cm, margins not expanded, ± thick, not crispate, densely tomentose, tips acute, recurved, abaxially usually ± densely yellowish pubescent, occasionally nearly glabrous. Achenes: bodies appressed-pubescent; beak 4-6 cm, plumose. 2n = 16.
Phenology: Flowering spring–summer (May–Jun).
Habitat: Dry woods and thickets in sandy soils
Elevation: 0-150 m
Distribution
Ala., Ark., Fla., Ga., La., Miss., Okla., S.C., Tex.
Discussion
In immature fruit, especially, the vestiture of the beaks of Clematis reticulata might not consistently suffice to distinguish it from C. pitcheri, which has appressed-pubescent beaks. Clematis reticulata is distinguished from C. pitcheri by the very fine reticulation of the leaves, with the smallest areoles completely enclosed by veinlets generally less than 1 mm long and even the quaternary veins prominently raised on the adaxial surface.
Selected References
None.