Ranunculaceae

Clematis vitalba

Common Names: Old man’s beard

Plant Form: Perennial climbing vine. Size: Up to 30 m high or long. Stem: Very long, woody, with 6 prominent ribs and pale bark. Leaves: Opposite pairs on stem, 5 leaflets widely spaced and hairy with toothed or smooth edges, falling off in Autumn. Flowers: Creamy white, fragrant, 2-3 cm diameter. Fruit and Seeds: Grey, hairy seeds with distinctive white beard-like plumes in clusters persisting over winter. Habitat: Woodlands and forests, riverbanks, heathland, disturbed areas. Distinguishing Features: White beard-like seed plumes are distinctive. Native Clematis species usually have 3 leaflets rather than 5. Impacts: Smothers and outcompetes native vegetation.

Leaves and flowers

Fluffy seeds

Seeds on vine