ExplorePlants

virgin's-bower

Clematis virginiana

Virgin's-bower is a beautiful climbing flower that can grow on fences and trees. It has lovely white flowers that bloom in the summer and turn into fluffy seed heads in the fall.

Habitat: Woodlands

Appearance

The virgin's-bower has abundant clusters of small, star-shaped, fragrant white flowers. Its leaves are typically composed of three bright green leaflets. Later, it develops unique, feathery silver-white seed heads that make it visually distinctive.

KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderRanunculalesFamilyRanunculaceaeGenusClematis
virgin's-bower
climbing trait badgedeciduous trait badgeflowering trait badgesummer_blooming trait badge
virgin's-bower

Category

Plants

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

6

Interesting facts

After blooming, its seeds grow long, feathery tails that look like an "old man's beard."

Its scientific name, Clematis, comes from an ancient Greek word for "a climbing plant."

Native Americans traditionally used parts of this plant for various medicinal purposes.

This fast-growing vine can completely cover fences or arbors in just one summer!

Special abilities

Ability

Rapid Climber

Virgin's-bower can quickly grasp onto supports with its twisting leaf stalks, helping it climb high for sunlight.

Ability

Wind Rider Seeds

Virgin's-bower has long, feathery tails on its seeds that catch the wind, helping them travel far and wide.

Ability

Chemical Shield

Virgin's-bower contains chemicals in its sap that can deter most hungry herbivores from eating its leaves.

Measurements & details

Height
300-600 cm
Flower Size
1.5-3 cm
Bloom Season
Summer_early_fall
Edible
No
Toxicity
Mild
Lifecycle
Perennial
Pollination Method
Insect

Ecological connections

pollinates

Common Eastern Bumblebee

Bombus impatiens

gathers nectar and pollen

pollinates

European Honey Bee

Apis mellifera

collects nectar for honey

pollinates

Monarch Butterfly

Danaus plexippus

sips nectar from its blooms

eaten by

White-tailed Deer

Odocoileus virginianus

occasionally browses its foliage

Traits

Also known as

Virginia clematis

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Always ask an adult before touching plants, just to be safe!

Frequently Asked Questions

How to identify virgin's-bower?

The easiest way to identify virgin's-bower is to use the Snappit nature identifier app.

How tall is virgin's-bower?

300-600 cm

How big are the flowers on virgin's-bower?

1.5-3 cm

When does virgin's-bower bloom?

Summer_early_fall

Is virgin's-bower edible?

No

Is virgin's-bower toxic?

Mild

What is virgin's-bower's lifecycle?

Perennial

How is virgin's-bower pollinated?

Insect

Snap Map

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