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Species Details
Clematis occidentalis (Hornem.) DC.
University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium Read more about this collection »
LeavesOpposite, compound; leaflets 3, egg-shaped to lance-shaped, 2-8 cm long, margins entire to crenate, occasionally wavy, net-veined.
FlowersInflorescence solitary; flowers radially symmetric; sepals 4, distinct, lance-shaped, 3-5 cm long, purple or blue; petals absent; stamens 20-50, outer stamens petaloid; pistils 40-175, ovary superior
Fruits and SeedsAggregate of achenes, elliptic,beaks 3-5 cm long, brown, feathery-hairy; seeds 3 mm
Scientific Name
Clematis occidentalis (Hornem.) DC.
Common Name
blue clematis, purple clematis, mountain clematis, purple virgin’s bower
General Description
Perennial vine, woody, climbing to 2 m or trailing on ground to 5 m
Leaves
Opposite, compound; leaflets 3, egg-shaped to lance-shaped, 2-8 cm long, margins entire to crenate, occasionally wavy, net-veined.
Flowers
Inflorescence solitary; flowers radially symmetric; sepals 4, distinct, lance-shaped, 3-5 cm long, purple or blue; petals absent; stamens 20-50, outer stamens petaloid; pistils 40-175, ovary superior
Fruits and Seeds
Aggregate of achenes, elliptic,beaks 3-5 cm long, brown, feathery-hairy; seeds 3 mm
Phenology
Flowers from April to June
Notes
Similar species:
Clematis viginiana
Potentially confused with Clematis virginiana, which has unisexual flowers and a white perianth.
Medical uses:
The Okanagan-Colville Indians used the leaves in a treatment for…
Similar species:
Clematis viginiana
Potentially confused with Clematis virginiana, which has unisexual flowers and a white perianth.
Medical uses:
The Okanagan-Colville Indians used the leaves in a treatment for sweaty feet.
Ethno-botanical uses:
The Okanagan-Colville Indians used a tea mixture including the leaves and stem in a shampoo, to prevent grey hairs.
This species is thought to contain protoanemonin compounds, and if ingested, will cause severe pain, burning sensation, and ulcers in mouth. Commonly causes skin irritation and redness if touched.
Range/Distribution
Alberta: Southern Alberta, especially prominent in Calgary, Red Deer, and Sylvan Lake; common in the Rocky Mountain range
CAN (BC, NB, NS, ON, QC, SK); USA (CO, CT, DE, IA, ID, IL, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MT, NC, NH, NJ,…
Alberta: Southern Alberta, especially prominent in Calgary, Red Deer, and Sylvan Lake; common in the Rocky Mountain range
CAN (BC, NB, NS, ON, QC, SK); USA (CO, CT, DE, IA, ID, IL, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MT, NC, NH, NJ, NY, OH, OR, PA, RI, UT, VA, VT, WA, WI, WV, WY)
Citation
Page Citation for Clematis occidentalis (Hornem.) DC.
Page Citation
"Species Details - Clematis occidentalis (Hornem.) DC., University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium." University of Alberta Museums Search Site, https://search-test.museums.ualberta.ca/g/1-7863/12-169124. Accessed 13 Oct. 2025.
Specimen Information
There are 20 specimens of this Species.
118361 - Clematis occidentalis (Hornem.) DC.
University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium
Common Nameblue clematis, purple clematis, mountain clematis, purple virgin’s bower
Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, Alberta, Kootenay Plains Ecological Reserve, Two O'Clock Creek
Date Collected2007-07-10
122025 - Clematis occidentalis (Hornem.) DC.
University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium
Common Nameblue clematis, purple clematis, mountain clematis, purple virgin’s bower
Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, Alberta, Kootenay Plains Ecological Reserve
Date Collected2009-06-17
122026 - Clematis occidentalis (Hornem.) DC.
University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium
Common Nameblue clematis, purple clematis, mountain clematis, purple virgin’s bower
Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, Alberta, Crescent Falls Provincial Recreation Area
Date Collected2009-07-24
109190 - Clematis occidentalis (Hornem.) DC.
University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium
Common Nameblue clematis, purple clematis, mountain clematis, purple virgin’s bower
Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, Alberta, Waterton Lakes National Park
Date Collected1981-05-22
112147 - Clematis occidentalis (Hornem.) DC.
University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium
Common Nameblue clematis, purple clematis, mountain clematis, purple virgin’s bower
Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, Alberta, Edmonton
Date Collected1997-05-29
129989 - Clematis occidentalis (Hornem.) DC.
University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium
Common Nameblue clematis, purple clematis, mountain clematis, purple virgin’s bower
Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, Alberta, Kananaskis Country, Peter Lougheed Provincial Park, Highwood Pass
Date Collected1967-07-19
129990 - Clematis occidentalis (Hornem.) DC.
University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium
Common Nameblue clematis, purple clematis, mountain clematis, purple virgin’s bower
Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, Alberta
Date Collected1967-07-19
129991 - Clematis occidentalis (Hornem.) DC.
University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium
Common Nameblue clematis, purple clematis, mountain clematis, purple virgin’s bower
Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, Alberta, Cline River
Date Collected1981-07-26
129992 - Clematis occidentalis (Hornem.) DC.
University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium
Common Nameblue clematis, purple clematis, mountain clematis, purple virgin’s bower
Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, Alberta, Sundre Red Deer Natural Area
Date Collected1982-06-16
137948 - Clematis occidentalis (Hornem.) DC.
University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium
Common Nameblue clematis, purple clematis, mountain clematis, purple virgin’s bower
Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, Alberta, Setaspell Outpost
Date Collected2015-08-07
137850 - Clematis occidentalis (Hornem.) DC.
University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium
Common Nameblue clematis, purple clematis, mountain clematis, purple virgin’s bower
Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, Alberta, Soldan Lake
Date Collected2014-08-03
135216 - Clematis occidentalis (Hornem.) DC.
University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium
Common Nameblue clematis, purple clematis, mountain clematis, purple virgin’s bower
Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, Alberta, Coyote Lake Nature Sanctuary
Date Collected2011-08-31
135264 - Clematis occidentalis (Hornem.) DC.
University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium
Common Nameblue clematis, purple clematis, mountain clematis, purple virgin’s bower
Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, Alberta, Coyote Lake Nature Sanctuary
Date Collected2011-08-30
140149 - Clematis occidentalis (Hornem.) DC.
University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium
Common Nameblue clematis, purple clematis, mountain clematis, purple virgin’s bower
Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, Alberta, Setaspell Outpost
Date Collected2017-05-30
139896 - Clematis occidentalis (Hornem.) DC.
University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium
Common Nameblue clematis, purple clematis, mountain clematis, purple virgin’s bower
Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, Alberta, Prairie Bluff
Date Collected2011-06-28
142066 - Clematis occidentalis (Hornem.) DC.
University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium
Common Nameblue clematis, purple clematis, mountain clematis, purple virgin’s bower
Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, Alberta, Setaspell Outpost
Date Collected2018-05-22
142515 - Clematis occidentalis (Hornem.) DC.
University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium
Common Nameblue clematis, purple clematis, mountain clematis, purple virgin’s bower
Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, Alberta, Castle Provincial Park, Castle Falls
Date Collected2018-06-05
142513 - Clematis occidentalis (Hornem.) DC.
University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium
Common Nameblue clematis, purple clematis, mountain clematis, purple virgin’s bower
Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, Alberta, Castle Wildland Provincial Park, Prairie Bluff
Date Collected2018-06-13
142514 - Clematis occidentalis (Hornem.) DC.
University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium
Common Nameblue clematis, purple clematis, mountain clematis, purple virgin’s bower
Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, Alberta, Castle Provincial Park, Syncline Brook
Date Collected2018-06-05
144317 - Clematis occidentalis (Hornem.) DC.
University of Alberta Vascular Plant Herbarium
Common Nameblue clematis, purple clematis, mountain clematis, purple virgin’s bower
Place CollectedNorth America: Canada, Alberta, Kananaskis Country, Peter Lougheed Provincial Park, Highwood Pass
Date Collected1967-07-19