Western White Clematis

Clematis ligusticifolia

Taxonomy

Division:
Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
Family:
Ranunculaceae
Genus:
Clematis
Species:
Clematis ligusticifolia

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:
Perennial
Growth Habit:
Vine
Height:
20-40 ft
Light Requirements:
Full Sun, Part Shade, Shade
Drought Tolerance:
Medium
Bloom Months:
apr, may, jun, jul, aug
Bloom Colors:
White

Native Range

United States: Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Kansas, Montana, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Mexico, Nevada, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, Wyoming, Canada: Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Saskatchewan

Keystone Species Ranking

Caterpillar Keystone:
★★★★☆ Based on number of butterfly and moth species using this genus as host plant (Source: National Wildlife Federation)

Host Plant for Caterpillars

Alcathoe autumnalis, Alcathoe carolinensis, Alcathoe pepsioides, Alcathoe verrugo

Reported Fauna Sightings

Bees: Hunt's bumble bee (Bombus huntii), Hunt's bumble bee (Bombus huntii), Morrison bumble bee (Bombus morrisoni), Morrison bumble bee (Bombus morrisoni), Yellow bumble bee (Bombus fervidus), Yellow bumble bee (Bombus fervidus)

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:
rich, well-drained loamy soil
pH:
6.0 - 8.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
Drainage:
excellent drainage required
Moisture:
consistently moist
Notes:
Common in riparian zones and along streams.

Germination Information

Pre-treatment: For cuttings, treat with a 30 second fungicide drench prior to applying rooting hormone. Apply rooting hormone to the fresh basal cut, 1/4 to 1/2 inch up the stem. Use .3% Indole-butyric acid rooting hormone as a powder. For seeds, no pre-treatment is required.

Establishment: The plant is generally found from southern California north to British Columbia and east to Alberta, Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming. There are variations in propagation methods based on the source of propagation, either cuttings or seeds.

Source: npn.rngr.net