Definition

Noun: * A species of flowering vine native to the southern United States, characterized by its woody stems, purple or blue flowers, and distinctive leathery sepals that curve backward.

Examples

• The clematis versicolor climbed gracefully up the old garden trellis.
• Botanists study the unique, recurved sepals of clematis versicolor.
• A beautiful clematis versicolor was blooming along the fence line.

Advanced Usage

• In botanical classification, Clematis versicolor belongs to the Ranunculaceae (buttercup) family. The specific epithet "" suggests variability in its flower color.

Variants and Related Words

• Clematis (n): The genus name for a large group of climbing plants, which includes clematis versicolor and many other species.
• Leather flower (n): A common name for clematis versicolor and similar species, referring to the texture of its sepals.
• Vase vine (n): Another common name sometimes used for this plant.

Synonyms

• Leather flower
• Vase vine (regional)
• (a closely related or synonymous botanical name in some classifications)

Noun

1. woody vine of the southern United States having purple or blue flowers with leathery recurved sepals