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Clematis
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Clematis

Clematis

Basic Details
Description
Floral Formula
Features
Translations
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Basic Details

NameClematis
DescriptionSpectacular flowering vine featuring large, showy blooms in star or bell shapes with vibrant colors ranging from deep purples and blues to pinks, whites, reds, and yellows. Flowers can be single with 4-8 petal-like sepals, semi-double, or fully double forms, blooming from spring through fall depending on variety. After flowering, many produce attractive fluffy, silvery seed heads called 'Old Man's Beard,' adding late-season interest to gardens, trellises, and arbors.
FamilyRanunculaceae
GenusClematis
TribeAnemoneae

Floral Formula & Features

Floral FormulaEBr ⊕ ⚥ K4-8 C0 A∞ G∞

Ebracteate (no bracts), radially symmetrical (actinomorphic), bisexual, 4-8 free sepals (petal-like, colorful), no true petals, numerous free stamens, numerous free carpels (apocarpous) with superior ovaries. What appear as petals are actually sepals

Features
  • Name 'Clematis' from Greek 'klematis' meaning 'climbing plant' or 'vine shoot.' 'Virgin's Bower' refers to arbor-like growth. 'Old Man's Beard' describes feathery seed heads. 'Traveller's Joy' (C. vitalba) for cheerful roadside displays. Over 300 species and thousands of cultivars
  • Flowers 2-10 inches (5-25 cm) across depending on variety. No true petals—showy parts are colorful sepals (4-8, typically 6). Colors include purple, blue, pink, red, white, yellow, and bicolors. Forms range from flat stars to nodding bells. Many varieties fragrant. Blooms single or in clusters
  • Deciduous or evergreen perennial vine. Bloom time varies by pruning group: Group 1 (spring, March-May on old wood), Group 2 (late spring-early summer, May-June on old and new wood), Group 3 (summer-fall, July-October on new wood). Vines climb by twining leaf stalks around supports
  • Climbs 6-30 feet (2-9 m) depending on variety (compact 3-6 feet, medium 8-12 feet, vigorous 15-30 feet). Lifespan of 15-25+ years. Propagated from softwood cuttings in spring, semi-hardwood in summer, layering, or seed (species only)
  • Native throughout temperate Northern Hemisphere including Europe, Asia, and North America. Different species from specific regions: C. montana (Himalayas), C. armandii (China), C. virginiana (eastern North America). Found in woodlands, hedgerows, and rocky slopes
  • Requires 'head in sun, feet in shade'—blooms need 6+ hours of sunlight while roots prefer cool, shaded soil. Plant 2-3 inches deeper than pot level. Needs support structure for twining. Prefers moist, well-drained, slightly alkaline soil (pH 6.5-7.5). Mulch roots to keep cool
  • Excellent for vertical interest on trellises, arbors, fences, and walls. Attracts bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Deer resistant. Seed heads provide winter interest and nesting material for birds. Sap can cause skin irritation—wear gloves when pruning. Divided into 3 pruning groups for proper care

Names in Different Languages

Latin / ScientificClematis
English (Alternate)Purple Clematis, Traveller's Joy, Virgin's Bower, Old Man's Beard, Leather Flower
Hindiक्लेमाटिस के फूल (Klemaatis ke phool), मूर्वा के फूल (Murva ke phool)
Tamilமுருவாலி (Muruvali), பொரி பொரிச்சான் கொடி (Pori Porichaan Kodi), அட்டுமீசைக்கொடி (Aattumeesaikkodi), தழுவியேறும் கொடிவகை (Thazhuvierum kodivagai)
Teluguగౌరి కుంతల (Gowri Kuntala), పేడుతివ (Pedutivva)
Malayalamനികിടക്കൊടി (Nikitakkoti), ചാഗൽബോട്ടി (Chagalboti)
Kannadaತಲೆಜಡಾರಿ (Talejadaari), ತಲೆಜಾದರಿ (Thalejaadari), ಬರೀಜ್ವರದ ಬಳ್ಳಿ (Barijwarada balli)
Sanskritमोरट (Morata), मूर्वा (Murva), गौकर्णी(Goukarani)
Bengaliক্লেমটিস (Klematis), ছাগলবটি (Chagalbati), তারাঝরা (Tarajhora)
Frenchclématite
Russianломонос (lomonos), климОп (klimop), ломонос ползучий (lomonos polzuchiy)
Spanishhierba de los lazarosos, hierba de los pordioseros
GermanWaldrebe, Klematis

What is Floral Formula?

A floral formula is a symbolic representation of a flower's structure using letters, numbers, and special symbols. It provides a concise way to describe the arrangement and number of floral parts.

Example Formula
% K(6) C1+2+(2) A(9) G2

This formula describes the flower's symmetry, sepals, petals, stamens, and carpels in a standardized format.

Formula Sequence

  • Bract: Br or Ebr
  • Bracteole: Brl or Ebrl
  • Symmetry: % (Radial) or ⊕ (Bilateral)
  • Sex: ♀ (Female), ♂ (Male), or ⚥ (Bisexual)
  • Calyx/Sepal: K<number> (Free or Fused)
  • Corolla/Petal: C<number> (Free or Fused)
  • Androecium: A<number> (Free or Fused)
  • Gynaecium: G<number> (Superior or Inferior Ovary)

Symbol Meanings

  • Numbers: Indicate quantity of parts
  • Parentheses (): Parts are fused together
  • Plus (+): Parts in different whorls
  • Underline: Superior ovary position
  • Overline: Inferior ovary position
  • ∞: Numerous parts (too many to count)

Understanding floral formulas helps botanists quickly identify and classify flowers based on their structural characteristics.