Old Man’s Beard – Clematis vitalba
by Chris, 22 August, 2008, 16 comments
....or 'traveller's joy' to use another of its many names, is a vigorous climber. As it grows and matures, it forms woody stems as thick as a wrist, and the plant may grow to a height of 40 feet or more. Like other members of the Clematis genus, it climbs using its leaf stalks (petioles). These entwine around any convenient support or structure in their vicinity and then lignify (become woody).
In the UK and many parts of Europe, it may be seen in a variety of habitats such the edges of woodlands, hedges, or within woods where a gap in the canopy has formed; though it does tend to like chalky soils. Clematis belongs to the same family as buttercups, the Ranunculaceae. Clematis sp. are the only woody members of the Ranunculaceae. The flower structure is also unusual in that the flowers of Clematis species actually have no petals! The showy, petal-like structures (for which garden species are most valued) are, in fact, sepals. Read more...
