White-leaf leather flower is a lesser-known rhizomatous, perennial vine in the buttercup family (Ranunculaceae) native to southeastern North America. This species does not naturally occur in the Carolinas. It is found in forests, outcroppings, and along stream banks. The epithet is a compound of Latin words meaning “powdery white leaves.” Grow in full sun to part shade and rich, moist, loamy soil, preferably acid to neutral. Because flowers bloom on new growth, choose to prune between fall and early spring (Type 3). White-leaf leather flower climbs via twining, tendril-like petioles. It will reach up to 15 feet in length in optimal conditions. The showy bell-shaped flowers appear from late spring until early fall adding visual interest to a garden while providing a nectar source that benefits the native wildlife like bees and hummingbirds. Plant along a slope, or in a vertical space supported by a trellis or arbor in a rock or pollinator garden. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No major problems. VIDEO Created by Elisabeth Meyer for "Annuals, Perennials, Vines, and Groundcovers," a plant identification course developed in partnership with Longwood Gardens. More information on Clematis .
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
High Organic Matter; Loam (Silt)
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Moist
Available space
6-feet-12 feet
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Canopy layer
6 - Vine (vertical)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Climbing; Spreading
Foliage
Deciduous
Leaf color
Gray/Silver; Green
Leaf type
Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
Leaf arrangement
Opposite
Leaf shape
Ovate
Leaf margin
Entire; Lobed
Leaf feel
Smooth
Leaf size
1-3 inches long, 1-3 inches wide
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
The leaves are notable for functioning as tendrils– the petioles wind around support structures, the leaves growing from the tips. The leaves are opposite, pinnately compound with 4-10 leaflets, and glaucous on the underside. They are thin with non-reticulate veins and may be lobed or entire. Length may reach roughly 1-4 inches and width 1-3 inches.
Flower color
Gold/Yellow; Green; Pink; Purple/Lavender; Red/Burgundy; White
Flower value
Long Bloom Season; Showy
Flower shape
Bell
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
What appear to be petals are actually four thick sepals fused into a bell-like shape. They are a reddish purple-pink on the outside and pale yellow-green on the inside, growing in axilary clusters of 1-3. Two bracts sit about 1/3 of the distance from the long flower stem's base (up to 6 inches long) and the flowers are just under an inch in size. Blooms from late spring to early fall.
Bloom time
Fall; Spring; Summer
Fruit color
Gray/Silver; Green
Fruit type
Achene; Aggregate
Fruit value
Showy
Fruit size
1-3 inches long, < 1 inch wide
Fruit detail
Aggregate achenes with fine hairs and filaments that give the fruit a silvery, feathery appearance.
Stem color
Brown/Copper; Green; Red/Burgundy
Stem detail
Green when young, turning reddish-brown as they age.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Native
Origin
SE North America
Wildlife value
Attracts bees and hummingbirds
Attracts
Bees; Hummingbirds
Food & Medicine
Harvest time
Fall; Summer
Fruit type
Achene; Aggregate
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Slope/Bank; Vertical Spaces; Woodland
Landscape theme
Pollinator Garden; Rock Garden
Design feature
Accent
Garden tags
#flowering vine #herbaceous perennial #forb #hummingbird friendly #purple flowers #pink flowers #bee friendly #vertical spaces #long bloom time #pollinator plant #flowers late spring #flowers early summer #flowers mid-summer #flowers early fall #flowers late summer #arbor #slopes #bell-shaped flowers #unusual flowers #vine #perennial #wildflower #accent #trellis #acidic soils tolerant
Problems & Resistance
Problems
Contact Dermatitis; Poisonous to Humans; Problem for Cats; Problem for Children; Problem for Dogs; Problem for Horses