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Plant Profile

Millboro Leatherflower (Clematis viticaulis)

The leathery green leaves and creamy whitish-green flowers of this small perennial. Photo Credit: John Wurdack

Global Rank: G1 - Critically Imperiled
Legal Status: N/A
Family: Ranunculaceae
State: VA
Nature Serve ID: 134546
Lifeform: Subshrub, Forb/herb
Date Inducted in National Collection: 03/15/1986

Description:

Clematis viticaulis is an herbaceous perennial in the buttercup family (Ranunculaceae). Branches are laden with leathery green, deciduous leaves. These leaves overtop the central axis, a way to differentiate this species from a closely related species (Keener 1967). Greenish flowers on long peduncles bloom from April to June then give way to dark purplish-brown fruits from June to September.

Where is Millboro Leatherflower (Clematis viticaulis) located in the wild?

Habitat:

C. viticaulis can be found on shale barrens (Gleason 1952, Gray's Manual 1987)

Distribution:

C. viticaulis is known from Bath County in Virginia (Gleason 1952).

States & Provinces:

Millboro Leatherflower can be found in Virginia

Which CPC Partners conserve Millboro Leatherflower (Clematis viticaulis)?

North Carolina Botanical Garden

Conservation Actions

Tina Stanley

04/16/2024

As of March 2024, Mt. Cuba Center holds Clematis viticaulis in living collection.

09/03/2020

Propagation by softwood cuttings: taken in mid-June, treated with 2,500-5,000 ppm. K-IBA and kept under fog/mist during the initial rooting period yield 60%+ rooting. Even when well rooted, they are slow to grow back in spring. Potting young plants once the are rooted might be the preferred treatment, rather than letting the cuttings overwinter in their flat. Propagation from seed: seed cold-stratified for 2 to 3 months germinate @ 40-50%.

Nature Serve Biotics

05/02/2017

A strict shale barren endemic, known only from portions of Bath, Augusta, and Rockbridge counties in western Virginia. About 18 extant occurrences are known (20+ estimated) and the total global population is estimated at 1500-2500 individuals. Stable and thriving at known sites, many of which are self-maintained and unthreatened in the foreseeable future. However, confined to a specialized habitat within a very small range.

Irina Kadis

01/01/2010

Urban development Road construction, right-of-way maintenance Farm field clearing Human trampling In places where habitats are still available, populations are vandalized and robbed by irresponsible amateur gardeners and nurserymen who dig out plants

Irina Kadis

01/01/2010

Remaining population size and any additional sites is unknown.

Irina Kadis

01/01/2010

Other than propagation, extensive research has not been conducted.

Irina Kadis

01/01/2010

There is no formalized management plan.

Irina Kadis

01/01/2010

Management needs include population identification and monitoring so that this species can be protected. Research needs include identifying habitat requirements and understanding general ecology.

Irina Kadis

01/01/2010