RANUNCULACEAE CROWFOOT FAMILY 
LEATHER FLOWER 
Clematis Pitcheri T. & G. 
The Leather Flower is found only occasionally in the north- 
ern part of the state but is common throughout central Illinois 
and westward to Nebraska and Texas. By twisting its leaf 
stalks about a sup- 
port it may climb Io ae 
feet or more, though RSS 
more often it is 7) (GO 
lower. UU) d 
more or less covered 
with very short hairs. 
The leaves are pin- 
nately compound and / 
the 3-9 leaflets may ss 
be entire or 3-lobed. 
The flowers appear in June. The 4 or 5 sepals 
of the bell-shaped calyx are thick and leathery. 
They are dull purple and curve outward at the tips. 
There are no petals. Stamens are numerous and 
have narrow anthers; the pistils are also numerous 
and have long silky styles which persist on the akene fruits. 
y—s a Le, N 
The branches are ((7;)) WK LEN 
The Marsh Clematis, Clematis crispa L., resembles the Leather 
Flower but its blue-purple flowers are much more conspicuous and 
the broadened tips of the sepals are crisply waved. The 3-9 lanceolate 
leaflets are firm and much narrower. Instead of climbing, this species 
prefers to sprawl over low objects. In Illinois it is found in the 
Cairo sector only. 
Frequently mistaken for Clematis Pitcheri is another Leather 
Flower, Clematis Viorna L., which is, however, not found as far 
north in the state. The sepals of this flower are much thicker than 
those of the first species, and the tails of its fruits are feathery, not 
silky or smooth. 
There a bed of rue was set 
With an edge of mignonette, 
And the spicy bergamot 
Meshed the frail forget-me-not. 
Honeysuckles, hollyhocks, 
Bachelor’s button, four-o’clocks, 
Marigolds and blue-eyed grass 
Curtsied when the maid did pass, 
A Colonial Garden—JAaMES B. KENYON 
107 
