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Glite Dictionary
Clematis virginiana

Clematis virginiana

9.7
A climbing vine with clusters of small white flowers that grows in eastern North America
  • noun
  • Specialized
translation icon : Clemátide virginiana
  • Gardeners often plant Clematis virginiana for its attractive white flowers and vigorous growth.

Examples

  • The old fence was covered by a thick mass of Clematis virginiana in full bloom.

  • In late summer, Clematis virginiana transforms the woodland edges with its fragrant panicles.

  • The Clematis virginiana blooms beautifully in the summer.

  • Have you seen the Clematis virginiana in the garden?

  • Gardeners often plant Clematis virginiana for its attractive clusters of small creamy white flowers.

  • In late summer, Clematis virginiana covers the woodland edges with its fragrant creamy white blooms.

  • The old fence is adorned with Clematis virginiana, showcasing its numerous creamy white flowers.

Synonyms

virgin's bower
vsClematis virginiana
  • US
3 9.9

A climbing plant from eastern North America that grows over other plants and has small white flowers

is the scientific species term rather than the everyday plant name
devil's darning needle
vsClematis virginiana
  • US
9.9

A climbing plant with many small creamy white flowers that grows over other plants

is the scientific species label rather than a common name

Surface Forms

Clematis virginiana singular
Clematis virginianae plural

Morphology

Clematis + virginiana

The binomial name is directly compositional: 'Clematis' denotes a flowering vine and 'virginiana' is an adjectival epithet meaning 'of Virginia', so the combined phrase straightforwardly denotes a clematis species associated with Virginia. Scientific Latin names follow this predictable genus + epithet pattern across languages, so a learner who knows both constituents can infer the MWE's meaning.

Etymology

The name Clematis virginiana comes from a word for a 'climbing plant' (Clematis) and virginiana, which means 'from Virginia'. So the name helps you remember that this is a climbing vine that comes from Virginia.