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 lo 

 feet or more, though 

 more often it is 

 lower. 



The branches are 

 more or less covered 

 with very short hairs. 

 The leaves are pin- 

 nately compound and 

 the 3-9 leaflets may 

 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. 



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 ot 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 tar 

 north in the state. The sepals of this flower are much thicker than 

 those of the first species, and the tails ot its truits are feathery, not 

 silkv or smooth. 



There a l>ed of rue was set 

 With au edge of mignouette, 

 And the spicy l)orgainot 

 Meshed the frail forget-me-not. 

 Honeysuckles, hollyhocks, 

 Bachelor's button. ' four-o'clocks, 

 Marigolds and Idue-eyed grass 

 Curtsied when the maid did pass. 



.1 ('oh)niiil (/«/■(/ 1'» -Jam Ks 15. Kknyon 



107 



