Clematis morefieldii
| Clematis morefieldii | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Order: | Ranunculales |
| Family: | Ranunculaceae |
| Genus: | Clematis |
| Species: | C. morefieldii
|
| Binomial name | |
| Clematis morefieldii | |
Clematis morefieldii is a rare species of flowering plant in the buttercup family known by the common names Morefield's leather flower and Huntsville vasevine.
It is endemic to northern Alabama and southern Tennessee, where it is known from about 22 populations currently, most of which are small.[1] Many of the populations are threatened, and some have been recently extirpated.[1] It is a federally listed endangered species, listed in 1992.[2]
Distribution and habitat
This species of
It grows in wooded habitat dominated by smoketree (Cotinus obovatus), often near streams or seeps. It is a climbing plant which attaches to shrubs and rocks for support.[2] The limestone substrate is very rocky with large boulders.[6]
Description
Clematis morefieldii produces woolly-haired vine runners up to 5 metres (16 ft) long. The leaves are compound, each made up of several leaflets and one or more tendrils for grabbing objects around the plant. The leaflets have velvety undersides.
The inflorescences occur in the axils of the leaves. Each has up to five flowers which have green-tinged pink sepals with curling tips arranged in an urn shape. The flower is thick and hairy in texture. There are no petals. The flower is up to 2.5 centimeters in length.
The plant yields fruits which may reach 3.5 centimeters long including their plume-like tips.[7]
Conservation
In 1991 when the plant was nominated for
By 2010 there were over 20 populations known but the plant was determined to still warrant endangered status. Several populations are in protected areas such as
More research is being done regarding the life history of this plant and its ecology, including potentially damaging insects that may attack it.[1] The last U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 5 year review of the Recovery Plan was issued in 2010.[8]
References
- ^ a b c d e USFWS. Clematis morefieldii Five-year Review. September 2007.
- ^ a b c d e USFWS. Endangered status determined for the plant Clematis morefieldii (Morefield's leather flower. Federal Register May 20, 1992.
- ^ Milius, S. Unknown plants under our noses.[permanent dead link] Science News January 2, 1999.
- ^ Tangley, L. Flowering finds in our own backyards. Archived 2002-10-08 at archive.today National Wildlife Dec-Jan 2000.
- ^ Kral, R. (1987). A new "Viorna" Clematis from northern Alabama. Annals of the Missouri Botanical Garden 74(3) 665.
- ^ Clematis morefieldii. The Nature Conservancy.
- ^ Clematis morefieldii. Flora of North America.
- ^ U.S.FWS.gov: "5-Year Review: Summary and Evaluation "Morefield’s leather flower - Clematis morefieldii
External links
