Flower profile
Hairy clematis
Clematis hirsutissima
Hairy clematis (Clematis hirsutissima) is a low shrub in the Ranunculaceae family, native in the lower 48 states, blooming mostly April–June across the U.S.
Hairy clematis is a wildflower that USDA PLANTS lists as native in the lower 48 states.
*iNaturalist research-grade observations, as of October 17, 2026.
On our lists for: Wyoming
Quick look
Clematis hirsutissima is a species of flowering plant in the buttercup family known by the common name hairy clematis or vase flower. It is a perennial herb that is native to much of the western United States, from Washington to Nebraska. It is a small, erect plant which, unlike other Clematis, does not generally produce vines. It is quite variable in appearance, especially across varieties.
- It belongs to the Ranunculaceae family. iNaturalist
- USDA PLANTS describes it as an herb (forb) / a subshrub with a perennial life cycle. USDA PLANTS
- USDA PLANTS lists it as native in the lower 48 states and records it in 12 states. USDA PLANTS
- NatureServe lists it as native to Wyoming. NatureServe
- iNaturalist has 586 research-grade sightings of it in Wyoming, ranking #41 among the 113 flowers on our Wyoming list. iNaturalist
When does it bloom?
Conservation status
- Federal (U.S. ESA)
- Not listed No U.S. Endangered Species Act listing in the USFWS ECOS database. USFWS ECOS
- NatureServe global
- G4 Apparently secure worldwide. NatureServe
- Wyoming
- No list Wyoming has no state law listing endangered or threatened plants, so we show NatureServe's Wyoming ranks instead. NatureServe: S4, apparently secure in Wyoming.
- Rare elsewhere
- Other states where NatureServe ranks it rare or missing: AZ (S2), OK (S1), SD (S2). (S1 critically imperiled, S2 imperiled, SH possibly extirpated, SX presumed extirpated.)
Checked October 17, 2026. Rankings and lists can change, so follow the links for the latest.
Can you eat it?
None of the sources we checked (NC State Extension (no page for this plant), USDA PLANTS) say whether it's edible or poisonous for people.
ASPCA's entry “Leatherflower” (Clematis sp), which covers the whole genus, lists it as toxic to dogs, cats and horses. Signs include: Salivation, vomiting… ASPCA
🌿 Never eat a wild plant unless you're certain of its ID; this isn't medical advice. Worried about a person? Call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222. Worried about a pet? Call your vet.
Where does it grow?
USDA PLANTS records hairy clematis in 12 states.
recorded by USDA PLANTS on our state lists not recorded
See the full list of states
Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, Wyoming.
Wyoming counties with USDA records: Albany, Big Horn, Carbon, Converse, Fremont, Hot Springs, Johnson, Laramie, Lincoln, Niobrara, Park, Platte, Sheridan, Sublette, Teton, Washakie.
Names, range and relatives
County records: USDA PLANTS lists it in 123 counties across 11 states; the most are in Colorado (30), Idaho (19), Montana (17).
Other Clematis on Bloomipedia (6): Virgin's bower, Autumn clematis, Old man's beard clematis, Western white clematis, Swamp leatherflower, Purple clematis.
More from the Ranunculaceae family (48 on Bloomipedia; most observed first): Lesser celandine, Rue anemone, Red columbine, Wood anemone, Western columbine, Marsh marigold, White baneberry, Round-lobed hepatica.
More Wyoming flowers
Sources
- USDA, NRCS. PLANTS Database, profile CLHI.
- iNaturalist, Clematis hirsutissima: taxonomy, research-grade observation counts and “Flowering” annotations, retrieved October 17, 2026.
- Wikipedia, Clematis hirsutissima (lead quoted under CC BY-SA 4.0).
- Wyoming: Wyoming state designated noxious weeds (W.S. 11-5-102(a)(xi)), as listed by the Wyoming Weed & Pest Council.
- USFWS, ECOS species database (ESA listing check), October 17, 2026.
- NatureServe Explorer, Clematis hirsutissima (global and state ranks).
- Edibility and toxicity: ASPCA.
- Photo: Gail A Baker via iNaturalist · CC BY 4.0 · resized.