Nomenclature
Scientific Name:
Clematis vitalba L.
Vernacular Name(s):
Old man's beard; Traveller's joy
 Description

Deciduous woody climber; stems 6-angled, strongly ribbed. Lvs sparsely hairy, green, 1-pinnate, 12–20 × 8–16 cm; leaflets usually 5, rarely 3, thin, ovate, rarely lanceolate, truncate or cordate at base, acuminate; margin entire or toothed; lvs of young growth narrower, thinner, hairier, and more deeply toothed; petiole (3)–4–8 cm long, with sparse to dense fine silky hairs. Fls erect, ☿, in compound axillary dichasial cymes. Bracts paired, spathulate to subulate, not united, inserted below middle of pedicel. Sepals 4–(5), valvate, greenish, densely hairy above and beneath, especially near margins, narrowly oblong to oblong-obovate, obtuse, 6–11–(15) × 2–4 mm. Anthers 1.5–2 mm long; filaments glabrous, linear. Achenes compressed, hairy, 2–2.5 mm long. Style 3–4 cm long at fruiting.

[From: Webb et al. (1988) Flora of New Zealand. Volume 4.]

 Biostatus
Exotic
 Phenology

Flowering: Dec.–May; Fruiting: Mar.–Oct.

 Bibliography
Biosecurity New Zealand 2012: Regional Pest Management Strategies Database. http://www.biosecurityperformance.maf.govt.nz/
Biosecurity New Zealand 4 Aug 2011: Unwanted Organisms Register. http://www.biosecurity.govt.nz/pests/registers/uor
Biosecurity New Zealand 2008: National Plant Pest Accord. MAF Biosecurity New Zealand, Wellington.
Connor, H.E. 1977: The Poisonous Plants in New Zealand. Edition 2. Government Printer, Wellington.
Howell, C. 2008: Consolidated list of environmental weeds in New Zealand. DOC Research & Development Series 292: 42.
Ministry for Primary Industries 23 Feb 2017: Unwanted Organisms Register. Version 02.01.02. https://www1.maf.govt.nz/uor