Seedhead
Posted by Fred Garcia on November 14, 2007
Q: I'd like to ID the seedhead of the attached image. I found it growing near a stream in a viney thicket in partial shade. Didn't get a good look at leaves or twigs. My inclination is that it is either Virgins Bower or Groundsel. Thought it might be a trailing or mounding shrub/vine.
Habitat: stream/river
State: Arkansas
Habitat: stream/river
|
|
A: You were very close on your identification of this plant. From what I can tell from your photos, your plant is not our wild Virgin's Bower (Clematis virginiana) but a very similar plant called Sweet Autumn Clematis and sometimes Virgin's Bower too (Clematis terniflora). Apparently the Autumn Clematis is a very invasive plant so is not recommended that it be planted in peoples' gardens. Our native Virgin's Bower is considered a good garden plant - it has leaves with small indentations while the Autumn Clematis has leaves that are smooth (no indentations) on its borders. Next spring you may want to look at this plant again to see the leaves to be sure of this ID. Check out this website and you'll see the same seed pods that you shared. www.duke.edu and this one too www.arhomeandgarden.org
Hope this helps and thanks for writing.
John Wiessinger ( November 15, 2007)