Bloomipedia
Purple clematis (Clematis occidentalis)
Photo: Erik Schiff via iNaturalist · CC0 · resized

Flower profile

Purple clematis

Clematis occidentalis

Native in the lower 48

Purple clematis is a flowering plant that USDA PLANTS lists as native in the lower 48 states. It's on our flower lists for 2 states, and across the U.S. it's most often seen in bloom in May–July.

27states
2of our state lists
2,926U.S. sightings*

*iNaturalist research-grade observations, as of October 17, 2026.

On our lists for: Montana, Wyoming

Quick look

Clematis occidentalis is a species of flowering plant in the buttercup family known by the common names western blue virginsbower or purple clematis. It is native to much of southern Canada and the northern United States.

  • It belongs to the Ranunculaceae family. iNaturalist
  • USDA PLANTS describes it as a vine with a perennial life cycle. USDA PLANTS
  • USDA PLANTS lists it as native in the lower 48 states and records it in 27 states. USDA PLANTS
  • NatureServe lists it as native to Montana and Wyoming. NatureServe
  • In Montana, most iNaturalist sightings of it in flower come in May–July. iNaturalist
  • iNaturalist has 811 research-grade sightings of it in Montana, ranking #49 among the 109 flowers on our Montana list. iNaturalist
  • iNaturalist has 368 research-grade sightings of it in Wyoming, ranking #76 among the 107 flowers on our Wyoming list. iNaturalist

Purple clematis gift ideas

Handmade purple clematis gifts from independent makers.

🌱 Sample spot. Handmade gift picks from independent shops will appear here once our shop partnership is approved. These cards are placeholders, not real products.

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    Purple clematis art print

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When does it bloom?

Flowering records by month across the U.S. (iNaturalist research-grade observations marked “Flowering”) (302 records)
Bloom time in each of our 2 states
StateTypePeak bloomSightings*
MontanaNativeMay–July811
WyomingNativefew records368

Conservation status

Federal (U.S. ESA)
Not listed No U.S. Endangered Species Act listing in the USFWS ECOS database. USFWS ECOS
NatureServe global
G5 Secure worldwide. NatureServe
Montana
No list Montana has no state law listing endangered or threatened plants, so we show NatureServe's Montana ranks instead. NatureServe: S4, apparently secure in Montana.
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: DE (SX), IA (S2), IL (S1), MA (S2), MD (S1), NC (S1), OH (SX), PA (S2), RI (S1), VA (S2), WV (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?

For peopleNot well documented

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.

For petsToxic to dogs, cats and horses

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 purple clematis in 27 states.

recorded by USDA PLANTS on our state lists not recorded

See the full list of states

Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming.

Montana counties with USDA records: Phillips.

Wyoming counties with USDA records: Albany, Big Horn, Carbon, Converse, Fremont, Johnson, Laramie, Lincoln, Park, Teton.

More Montana flowers

Red baneberry (Actaea rubra)

Red baneberry

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Blue columbine

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★ CO state flowerNative

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Prairie pasqueflower (Pulsatilla nuttalliana)

Prairie pasqueflower

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Sources