Early Virgin's-bower - Clematis cirrhosa var. balearica
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Species Description
A widely but infrequently grown plant which may escape. Habitat includes: hedgerows, banks, walls etc. Other names include: Evergreen Clematis, Fern-leaved Clematis, Minorca Clematis, Winter-flowering Clematis.
Stace 4:
Clematis cirrhosa L. var. balearica (Rich.) Willk. & Lange - Early Virgin's-bower.
Climber to 4m but often much less; leaves simple to 2-ternate; leaflets rounded to cordate at base, deeply dissected and fern-like; flowers mostly 1 per leaf-axil, pendent; sepals 1.5-2.5cm, yellowish-white, often tinged or spotted with purple; style becoming long and feathery in fruit; (2n=16). Neophyte-survivor; in hedges and on banks and walls; South England, Guernsey; South Europe.
Key:
- Leaves evergreen; 2 bracteoles on each pedicel fused into 2-lipped calyx-like structure