swamp leather flower, Clematis crispa

Buttercups have petals separated to their base? Flower bells with united corollas didn't evolve until much later in the process? Somebody didn't tell Clematis! These are the buttercup family at its creative best. Actually, what you see here are sepals, and they are indeed united. Very unlike your garden clematis. Seems like I'm not the only one dissatisfied by calling this romantic looking blossom leather flower. It has also been called blue jasmine or curly clematis. Curly is native to lowlands in AL, AR, FL, GA, IL(E), KY(T), LA, MO, MS, NC, OK, SC, TN, TX, and VA. A true southern bell! Taylor Co FL, 7/8/18.