Clematis patens

Clematis patens is a species of perennial plant in the genus Clematis in the Ranunculaceae family. It is native to Japan and Northeast Asia. It usually grows on the edge of forests. It is also planted for ornamental purposes.

Etymology

The name of the genus Clematis is a derivation of the Ancient Greek word "clématis", which means "climbing". This is a description of the tendency that species show to be climbers. And patens means "opening". In Japan, C. patens is called "kazaguruma", which means pinwheel.

Description

Stem

The stems are brown and they become woody.

Flower

White or pale purple single flowers grow at the tips of short shoots in May or June. The calyx that looks like a petal is usually 8 pieces and length of 7–8 cm, but the variation is large depending on the type. Achene is broad-ovate, yellow-brown feather-like.

Leaf

The leaves are pinnate compound leaves consisting of 3–5 leaflets and length of 3–10 cm.

Conservation

Clematis patens has been designated as Near Threatened on the Red List by the Ministry of [the Environment (Japan)|Ministry of the Environment] in Japan, and some prefectures in Japan have been designated as Red List.

Cultural significance

"The native fabric of Clematis patens" in Uda, Nara was designated as a Japanese national natural monument on 14 January 1948. C. patens has been designated as a city flower in Funabashi, Chiba.