Species: Clematis hirsutissima var. hirsutissima

Plantae - Anthophyta - Dicotyledoneae - Ranunculales - Ranunculaceae - Clematis - Recognized, along with var. arizonica, as a variety of Clematis hirsutissima by Kartesz (1994 Checklist, 1999 Synthesis). Although Erickson has been followed in treating Clematis arizonica as a variety of C. hirsutissima in the Arizona flora, it may be specifically distinct (Kearney and Peebles 1951). According to the Federal Register notice of reclassification (USFWS 9Jan98), results of Pringle's 1997 floristic review of the genus Clematis in North America show no clear differences between C. hirsutissima var. arizonica and C. h. var. hirsutissima with respect to previously considered distinguishing characters. However, Kartesz (pers. comm. to Larry Morse, 25Nov99) notes that evidence for synonymizing this is insufficient, leaving it best to maintain it.