Stems short and tufted or, if viny, up to 0.5(-1.5)m and trailing. Leaves: leaflets lobed or unlobed, 1.5-6.5(-9) cm, margins crenate-serrate; terminal leaflet, at least, usually deeply lobed, or sometimes ternate. Flowers: sepals moderately divergent, reddish violet or less often violet-blue, lance-ovate, 2.5-4.5(-6) cm, margins not fluted, tips acute to acuminate.

Flowering spring. Cliffs and other rocky sites in open woods and thickets; 700-1900 m; Wash.

Clematis occidentalis var. dissecta occurs only in the Wenatchee and adjacent ranges of the Cascade Mountains.