Virgin's-bower is a showy native vine, most common in the the Mountains, uncommon in the northern Piedmont, and rare in the southern Piedmont and Coastal Plain of North Carolina. The leaves are three-parted, but can easily be distinguished from Poison-Ivy because they're opposite instead of alternate. The invasive exotic Sweet Autumn Clematis (C. terniflora) is similar, but has 5-parted untoothed leaves and very fragrant flowers.
Durham Co., NC 8/21/05.
Virgin's-bower puts on a show as it clambers over shrubs.
Durham Co., NC 8/21/05.
The white flowers are beautiful but unscented.
Durham Co., NC 8/21/05.
Flower detail.
Carroll Co., VA 7/24/05.
The fruits have more carpels than Sweet Autumn Clematis. Carroll Co., VA 9/4/05.
Carroll Co., VA 9/4/05.
Person Co., NC 6/13/06.
