Western White Clematis - Clematis ligusticifolia

Western White Clematis
Clematis ligusticifolia Nutt.
Other names: white virgin's bower, pipestems, traveler's joy

Family: Ranunculaceae, Buttercup
Genus: Clematis

Description
General: strong perennial, woody vine, the stems mostly
3-6 m long, rarely up to 20 m, from nearly hairless to rather
densely covered with flat, stiff, short hairs or more soft and
long hairs. Often in dense, tangled, climbing mats over
fences, shrubs and trees.

Leaves: opposite, pinnately divided into 5-7 leaflets that
are 3-6 cm long, stalked, narrowly to broadly ovate to heart-
shaped, coarsely few-toothed and sometimes lobed.

Flowers: white or cream-colored, either male or female
on the plant, few to many in open clusters from leaf axils.
Petals lacking, sepals 4, showy, narrowly oblong-lanceolate,
spreading, 6-15 mm long. Male flowers without pistils,
female flowers usually with numerous nearly normal-sized
but sterile stamens. All stamens conspicuous, flattened.
Flowering time: May-August.

Fruits: small, hairy achenes with 3-5 cm long, feathery
styles, in clusters of fluffy heads.

Distribution
Well-drained sites, often along rivers, creek bottoms and
roadsides, in w. and c. parts of MT. Also from B.C. to OR,
CA and NM, and e. to the Dakotas.

Medicinal plant: see below.

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Contents
Identification
English Names Index
Scientific Names Index
Family Index

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Medicinal Uses:
Western white clematis was used medicinally by the Costanoan, Dakota, Gosiute, Great Basin, Lakota, Mahuna, Mendocino, Montana, Navajo, Nevada, Nez Perce, Okanagan-Colville, Oregon, Paiute, Sanpoil, Shoshoni, Thompson, and Yavapai Indians. Plant parts were chewed for colds and sore throats. Cold infusions of plants or roots were taken and used as a lotion for backache or swollen legs or arms. Crushed dried leaves were used as snuff and fresh leaves were smelled for headaches. Decoctions of leaves or roots were taken for stomachaches or cramps, and as a bath for tired feet. Decoctions of mashed leaves and branches were rubbed into the scalp as a shampoo to kill hair root "germs." Decoctions of plants were given to children who habitually wet their beds. Decoctions of pulverized root were taken for stomachaches or cramps. Dried, powdered roots were used for shampoo.
Infusions of plants were used as a wash for skin eruptions, infusions of roots were taken for headaches, and infusions of the white portion of the bark were used for fever. Lather of leaves and water was applied to sores or boils. Poultices of cut stem pieces were applied to the tooth for toothache. Poultices of mashed leaves were applied for rheumatic pains, and poultices of mashed, moistened seeds were applied to severe burns. Powdered leaves or decoctions were applied as a healing agent for syphilitic sores. The sap was used for boils. Simple or compound poultices of leaves were used for swellings, bruises, wounds or boils. Stems and leaves were chewed for colds and sore throats.

Other Uses:
The seed floss makes an excellent tinder for starting fires, a spark from a flint will quickly ignite it. It can also be used as an insulation in shoes etc. It has also been used in baby's nappies. The stems have been used to make strings.