Leather Flower, Bluebill, Purple Clematis, Purple Leather Flower

Bluebill or leather-flower is an herbaceous, perennial vine climbing to 10 ft. by means of twining petioles. Leaves are opposite, divided into 3–5 pairs of leaflets that are marked on the underside by a prominent, raised network of veins. Flowers are nodding, on long, slender stems from the leaf axil. They are dull-purple to brick-red on the outside; dark purple, red, or greenish white on the inside. The 4 sepals are petal-like, thick, and united at the base; they are recurved or only lightly spreading near the tip; petals are absent; stamens many; pistils many.