evergreen clematis USDA PLANTS Symbol: CLVI6
U.S. Nativity: Exotic
Habit: Vines
Clematis vitalba L.
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Taxonomic Rank: Magnoliopsida: Ranunculales: Ranunculaceae
Synonym(s): traveller's joy, old man's beard
Native Range: Europe, North Africa, Cauc. (REHD); Europe, southwest Asia, N. Africa (BAIL);
Appearance
Clematis vitalba is a perennial, rapidly growing woody vine that can grow up to 100 ft. (30.5 m) long and completely blanket surrounding vegetation.
Foliage
Leaves are compound, opposite and are usually arranged with five leaflets. Stems are woody in appearance.
Flowers
Flowers are white in color and are arranged in clusters in the upper leaf axils. The blooming period occurs in summer.
Fruit
Seeds have long feathery tails which ripen in fall and are easily noticeable in early winter after leaves have fallen off the trees.
Ecological Threat
Clematis vitalba is found along streams, fencelines, forest edges, and hillsides. It is native to Europe and west Asia. Be aware, Clematis vitalba is often confused with English Ivy, but in winter, Clematis vitalba looses its leaves whereas Ivy does not.
Selected Images from Invasive.orgView All Images at Invasive.org


Plant(s); habitat; foliage
Robert Vidéki, Doronicum Kft., Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Foliage; sprout
Robert Vidéki, Doronicum Kft., Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Bark; tree trunk
Robert Vidéki, Doronicum Kft., Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Flower(s);
Jan Samanek, Phytosanitary Administration, Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage

Flower(s);
Jan Samanek, Phytosanitary Administration, Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Flower(s);
Robert Vidéki, Doronicum Kft., Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Flower(s); buds, foliage
Robert Vidéki, Doronicum Kft., Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Flower(s);
Jan Samanek, Phytosanitary Administration, Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage

Flower(s);
Jan Samanek, Phytosanitary Administration, Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Flower(s);
Jan Samanek, Phytosanitary Administration, Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
EDDMapS Distribution:
This map is incomplete and is based only on current site and county level reports made by experts and records obtained from USDA Plants Database. For more information, visit www.eddmaps.org 		 


State List
This map identifies those states that list this species on their invasive species list or law.

Invasive Listing Sources:
California Invasive Plant Council
Native Plant Society of Oregon, 2008
Pacific Northwest Exotic Pest Plant Council, 1998
Reichard, Sarah. 1994.  Assessing the potential of invasiveness in woody plants introduced in North America. University of Washington Ph.D. dissertation.
WeedUS - Database of Plants Invading Natural Areas in the United States