The Chaparral clematis is native to the dry foothills of California and Baja California. It is a deciduous vine that grows throughout the chaparral and oak woodland plant communities where it climbs on top of surrounding plants for sunlight and support. Its stems can reach 12-18 ft. long; large numbers of small white flowers with yellow stamen occur in early spring. Seed heads with long feathery tails mature during the summer and are very attractive when backlit by the sun.

Chaparral clematis is valued as a habitat plant throughout its natural range and when grown in native plantings with oaks, toyon, coffeeberry and sugar bush. In these gardens it can be grown on fences and in background areas to provide diversity and summer accent interest.