XClematis hirsutissima - SugarbowlsX
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Sugarbowls -or- Leatherflowers -or- Hairy Clematis -or- Vase Flower (Clematis hirsutissima), family Ranunculaceae (Buttercup)
William Weber places this species in the genus Coriflora but it is most commonly found as a Clematis. No matter what common name is used, these flowers are distinctive and charming. Their upside-down aspect is captivating. The species name hirsutissima means 'very hairy' and these plants certainly are. Everywhere. Over 50 species share the genus Clematis, with hirsutissima being a perennial herb in the group. There are 3 varieties: var. hirsutissima, var. arizonica, and var. scottii. Many of the flowers are so covered with long white hairs that their 'bowl' appears silver. The flesh of the petals is quite thick, hence the leather origin of the common name. Something unusual about this species of Clematis is that it does not vine.
USES: The ever wonderful website Native American Ethnobotany shows these records of involvement by Native Americans with Sugarbowls: Montana - Decoction of leaves used for headaches. Scraped root held in nostril of fallen horse and acted as a stimulant to animal. Navajo, Ramah - Root used for congested nose pain. Cold infusion of plant or root taken and used as a lotion to protect from witches.
From another great website, Montana Plant Life, is this: Although no reports of toxicity have been seen for this species, some if not all members of this genus are mildly poisonous. The toxic principle is dissipated by heat or by drying. Other uses are: The seed floss makes an excellent tinder for starting fires, a spark from a flint will quickly ignite it. The seed floss can be used as an insulation in shoes etc.
FACTOID: The plant family Ranunculaceae is one of the few characterized by protogyny, a feature of more primitive families where the female parts mature before the male parts of the flower as a strategy to avoid self-pollination. Thanks to the Colorado State University Extension website for this information.
Another Common name for Sugarbowls is Lion's Beard. The plant in it's seeding stage produces a fantastical looking 'plume' to help disperse it's seeds. See great pics of this at Southwest Colorado Wildflowers. Scroll to the bottom of the page.
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Plant location: Another find hiking the Meyer Open Sapce - Lodgepole Loop trail - Colorado, on May 16, 2010. GPS coordinates: N39?32.718 W105?16.368 - Elevation: 7976'. A native to the U.S., these plants are found in the following United States: AZ, CO, ID, MT, NE, NM, OK, OR, SD, UT, WA, WY. None are shown in Canada. Habitats include: pondersosa pine forests, open, grassy slopes, sagebrush plains, and meadows.Plant -
Bloom season: April through July. A clear shot of the foliage was hard to capture. Much of it was degraded or englulfed in surrounding vegetation. This species is a foothills dweller.Foliage -
Meyer Open Sapce - Lodgepole Loop trail - Colorado - May 16, 2010
At the start of our hike in the Meyer Open Space, Colorado, we were treated to our first sight of Sugarbowls. A lovely beginning, and the outing proved to hold more 'firsts' for us. That is our GPS and plant note tablet on the bench in the photo, abandoned immediately to take in these beautiful flowers. -
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Meyer Open Sapce - Lodgepole Loop trail - Colorado - May 16, 2010
A different flower view. -
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Meyer Open Sapce - Lodgepole Loop trail - Colorado - May 16, 2010
A view of the flower from the back. -
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Meyer Open Sapce - Lodgepole Loop trail - Colorado - May 16, 2010
The yellow 'fuzz' in the mouth of the flower becomes the fantastical looking plume that disperses the plant's seeds. Hence the nickname...Lion's Mane. -
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