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Texas Clematis aka Scarlet Leatherflower (Clematis texensis)

29 March 2015: While on the Onion Creek Trail we encountered a low-lying stand of Texas Clematis or Scarlet Leatherflower (Clematis texensis) at the McKinney Falls State Park (MFSP) in Austin, Texas. Here's the thumbnail sketch of this beautiful wildflower found at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center at the University of Texas at Austin: "Scarlet leather-flower or scarlet clematis is an herbaceous to slightly woody vine, climbing no more than 9 ft. Bell-shaped flowers, blooming only on new growth, are held in axillary clusters of one to seven. The flower petals are actually thick, leather-like, scarlet-colored sepals. A feathery ball of plumed seeds follows the floral display. Stems are bare for the first two feet. This is a very hardy and drought tolerant clematis. In ideal, sunny conditions, blooms may last until the first frost. Widely cultivated because of the red flowers but native only to the southeastern Edwards Plateau in Texas." This wildflower apparently is widely cultivated because of its stunning flowers but is native only to the southeastern region of the Edwards Plateau in Texas. Native to Texas and North America, Texas Clematis is an authentic resident of the Western Hemisphere. McKinney Falls State Park is administered by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWP).

Sources:

"Clematis texensis," Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, University of Texas at Austin, photographs, links to additional resources, bibliography, accessed 11.21.15, http://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=CLTE2

"Texas Clematis or Scarlet Leatherflower (Clematis texensis)," Tom & Linda Lesback - Photographs from Special Places, photograph and short description, accessed 11.21.15, http://www.lebsack.net/toms-blog/spring-wildflowers.html