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Clematis texensis (Scarlet clematis)
Lytle, Melody

Clematis texensis Buckl.

Scarlet clematis, Scarlet leatherflower, Texas clematis

Ranunculaceae (Buttercup Family)

USDA Symbol: clte2

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

Scarlet leather-flower or scarlet clematis is an herbaceous to slightly woody vine, climbing no more than 9 ft. Bell-shaped flowers, blooming only on new growth, are held in axillary clusters of one to seven. The flower petals are actually thick, leather-like, scarlet-colored sepals. A feathery ball of plumed seeds follows the floral display. Stems are bare for the first two feet.

This is a very hardy and drought tolerant clematis. In ideal, sunny conditions, blooms may last until the first frost. Widely cultivated because of the red flowers but native only to the southeastern Edwards Plateau in Texas.

 

From the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Vine
Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Leaf Arrangement: Opposite
Leaf Complexity: Pinnate
Size Notes: 6-9 feet.
Leaf: Terminal most leaflets often twisted and acting as tendrils.
Fruit:
Size Class: 6-12 ft.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Red
Bloom Time: Mar , Apr , May , Jun , Jul
Bloom Notes: Petals absent. Sepals petaloid.

Distribution

USA: TX
Native Distribution: Endemic to Edwards Plateau, TX
Native Habitat: Texas endemic. Edwards Plateau. Well-drained limestone, loam, sand. Limestone cliffs; rocky slopes; streamsides
USDA Native Status: L48(N)

Growing Conditions

Water Use: Low
Light Requirement: Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Moist
Cold Tolerant: yes
Heat Tolerant: yes
Soil Description: Rocky, limestone soils. Sandy, Sandy Loam, Medium Loam, Limestone-based
Conditions Comments: With a delicate vine form, rounded spade-shaped leaves and red, urn-shaped flowers, this plant provides a subtle, beautiful accent to a shady, moist area. It blooms best with half a day of sun, and blooms may continue until the first frost. This is a very hardy and drought tolerant clematis.

Benefit

Use Ornamental: Twines on fences & other plants
Use Medicinal: Tea from dried, chopped stems reported as treatment for headache, especially migraine. Tincture formerly used as counter-irritant.
Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Interesting Foliage: yes
Nectar Source: yes
Deer Resistant: Moderate

Propagation

Propagation Material: Softwood Cuttings
Description: Plant seed outdoors in the fall or store and stratify before planting. Single, internodal, softwood cuttings taken in summer can be rooted, although this species does not root readily. Clematis spp. are also propagated by late summer layerings.
Seed Collection: Gather seeds when they are no longer green but before the cluster of achenes completely dries and drops the seeds to the ground. Remain viable up to two years without refrigeration.
Seed Treatment: Moist stratify at 41 degrees for 60-90 days.
Commercially Avail: yes
Maintenance: After freezing weather cut stems back to ground as this clematis blooms on new wood.

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is either on display or available from the following:

Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center - Austin, TX
NPSOT - Austin Chapter - Austin, TX
Jacob's Well Natural Area - Wimberley, TX

Herbarium Specimen(s)

NPSOT 0602 Collected May 13, 1992 in Medina County by Harry Cliffe
NPSOT 0655 Collected Jun 6, 1992 in Medina County by Harry Cliffe

Wildflower Center Seed Bank

LBJWC-649 Collected 2008-07-21 in Travis County by Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

Bibliography

Bibref 355 - Landscaping with Native Plants of Texas and the Southwest (1991) Miller, G. O.
Bibref 841 - Native Alternatives to Invasive Plants (2006) Burrell, C. C.
Bibref 318 - Native Texas Plants: Landscaping Region by Region (2002) Wasowski, S. & A. Wasowski
Bibref 281 - Shinners & Mahler's Illustrated Flora of North Central Texas (1999) Diggs, G. M.; B. L. Lipscomb; B. O'Kennon; W. F...
Bibref 328 - Wildflowers of Texas (2003) Ajilvsgi, Geyata.
Bibref 286 - Wildflowers of the Texas Hill Country (1989) Enquist, M.

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Recommended Species Lists

Find native plant species by state. Each list contains commercially available species suitable for gardens and planned landscapes. Once you have selected a collection, you can browse the collection or search within it using the combination search.

View Recommended Species page

Additional resources

USDA: Find Clematis texensis in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Clematis texensis in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Clematis texensis

Metadata

Record Modified: 2011-07-09
Research By: TWC Staff, GDB

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