Clematis dioica

Native from Mexico through tropical America, this perennial woody vine climbs through surrounding shrubs and trees using its twisting leaf stalks. Its opposite leaves usually have three pointed leaflets with smooth or sparsely toothed edges. Branched clusters of small flowers have four petal-like sepals and numerous stamens in the male flowers. Male and female flowers generally occur on separate plants. After pollination, clusters of small, dry fruits develop on female vines, each with a long, feathery tail. In Jamaica, it grows on low hills, especially in limestone districts. Photographed in Cerro de la Vieja, Colombia.