Clematis koreana — identification & habitat

Clematis koreana is a climbing vine native to northeastern Asian mountain woods. Its small, bell-shaped flowers hang downward, unlike the wide blooms of many garden clematis.

Appearance

Appearance: A single reddish to yellowish flower hangs from a long stalk. Four narrow, petal-like form the outer bell.
Growth form: A deciduous climbing vine; garden plants can reach about 8–13 ft (2.5–4 m).
Leaves: Leaves usually divide into three broad, toothed leaflets.
Fruit: Each small dry fruit keeps a long, feathery tail.

Look-alikes

Alpine clematisClematis alpina

Both hang bell-like flowers. Alpine clematis is commonly blue to lavender, while typical C. koreana has narrower reddish-purple outer sepals; garden forms vary, so a flower photo alone may be uncertain.

Why they get mixed upBoth belong to the same early-flowering clematis group.

Where it lives

Typical habitats: Northeast Asian mountain woods
Range: Native to Korea, northeastern China, and the Russian Far East.

Name and classification

Varieties and forms: The yellow-flowered form is called var. lutea; typical flowers are reddish-purple.

Conservation

IUCN Red List: NENot EvaluatedNot yet assessed

11 sources