Clematis vitalba

Clematis vitalba

Old man’s beard or Traveller’s joy (Clematis vitalba L., 1753) is a climbing shrub species belonging to the Ranunculaceae family.

Systematics –
From a systematic point of view it belongs to:
Eukaryota domain,
Kingdom Plantae,
Subkingdom Tracheobionta,
Spermatophyta superdivision,
Magnoliophyta division,
Class Magnoliopsida,
Subclass Magnoliidae,
Order Ranunculales,
Family Ranunculaceae,
Subfamily Ranunculoideae,
Tribe Anemoneae,
Genus Clematis,
Species C. clematis.
The terms are synonyms:
– Anemone vitalba (L.) E.H.L.Krause;
– Anemone vitalba (L.) K.Krause;
– Clematis bannatica Schur;
– Clematis bellojocensis Gand.;
– Clematis crenata Jord.;
– Clematis dumosa Gand.;
– Clematis dumosa Salisb.;
– Clematis grata Maxim.;
– Clematis mollissima (Hallier fil.) H.Eichl.;
– Clematis odontophylla Gand.;
– Clematis pilosa Dulac;
– Clematis scandens Borkh.;
– Clematis sepium Lam.;
– Clematis taurica Besser;
– Clematis taurica Besser ex Nyman;
– Clematis transiens Gand.;
– Clematis vitalba f. crenata (Jord.) O.Bolòs & Vigo;
– Clematis vitalba subsp. mollissima Hallier fil.;
– Clematis vitalba subsp. taurica (Nyman) Kuntze;
– Clematis vitalba var. angustiloba Schur;
– Clematis vitalba var. angustisecta Gremli;
– Clematis vitalba var. bannatica Wierzb.;
– Clematis vitalba var. bannatica Wierzb. ex Rchb.;
– Clematis vitalba var. chlorantha Murr;
– Clematis vitalba var. cordata Schur;
– Clematis vitalba var. crenata (Jord.) Rouy & Foucaud, 1893;
– Clematis vitalba var. integra DC.;
– Clematis vitalba var. integrata DC.;
– Clematis vitalba var. mollissima Hallier;
– Clematis vitalba var. scandens (Borkh.) Hegi;
– Clematis vitalba var. simplicifolia Godet;
– Clematis vitalba var. syriaca Boiss.;
– Clematis vitalba var. taurica Besser;
– Clematis vitalba var. taurica Besser ex Rouy & Foucaud, 1893;
– Clematis vitalba var. timbalii Drabble;
– Clematitis vitalba (L.) Couret-Vill.;
– Clematitis vitalba (L.) Moench;
– Viorna clematitis Garsault.

Etymology –
The term Clematis comes from the Greek kléma sarmento, vine branch: plants with a sarmentose habit.
The specific clematis epithet was created by Linnaeus taking up a denomination of Dodoens, due to the climbing habit and the white flowers; in other Renaissance writers, it referred rather to Bryonia alba.

Geographic Distribution and Habitat –
Clematis vitalba is a plant native to the Eurasian area and present in a territory that goes from Western Europe (from Portugal to Great Britain and Germany) to the east through Turkey and the Caucasus up to Iran and Afghanistan; it is also present in North Africa (Morocco, Algeria).
Later it was also spread to North America, Australia and New Zealand.
In Italy it is present throughout the national territory up to about 1300 m above sea level, in uncultivated land, broad-leaved woods and temperate scrub.
Its habitat is that of deciduous and mixed woods, wooded edges, hedges, bushes, river banks, railway and road embankments, old walls and buildings, generally on calcareous soils.

Description –
Clematis vitalba is a plant typically with a climbing behavior that grows on the surrounding vegetation by means of twisted leaf stalks.
with branched stems, which also grows over 20 meters on trees, developing quite large wooden trunks at the base. The woody stems are very thin when young, although they can be 10cm or more in diameter in older plants.
The leaves are opposite and imparipinnate; they are each formed by 3 – 5 ovoid-lanceolate segments. They are pedunculate with the peduncles enlarged at the base, the margin is dentate or entire.
It bears hermaphroditic, perfumed flowers, grouped in inflorescences with a biparous top. These have 4 whitish-greenish petaloid sepals, numerous stamens and a multicarpellar upper ovary and have entomophilous pollination. The scent, almost imperceptible, is vaguely similar to that of hawthorn.
The anthesis is between May and August depending on the latitude and altitude.
The multiple fruit is an achenet (polyachene), an aggregate of achenes, pubescent, poorly compressed, prolonged in an accreting, feathery style which can reach 5.5 cm. the presence of feathers allows them to be scattered by the wind.

Cultivation –
Clematis vitalba is a very vigorous, climbing, deciduous plant. The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as food, medicine and source of materials.
The plant can be cultivated and is resistant to minimum temperatures down to -18 °C.
Prefers deep, moist soil with roots in shade.
Dislikes poorly drained heavy clay soils, but grows well in clay if sand is added for drainage; likewise it does not like light sandy soils and grows well in chalky soils and does not tolerate acid soils with a pH below 6.0.
The plant is pollinated by pollinators and flies.
During its growth the leaf stalks wrap around twigs and branches for support. When one side of the stem touches an object, growth on that side slows while the other side grows at its normal rate – this causes the leaf stem to twist with the object it is touching.
It is capable of growing 2 meters or more in a year and can easily choke out small trees and shrubs.
When planting outdoors, to avoid disease it is best to plant the root ball about 8cm deep into the soil. This will also build a good root crown of growth shoots.
The plant is very susceptible to pruning and can be cut back severely if necessary. This is best done in early spring.
It is a vigorous plant which inhibits the growth of neighboring plants, especially legumes.
Propagation can occur in various ways.
By seed it is recommended to sow as soon as it is ripe in an unheated seedbed.
It is advisable to immerse the seed for 12 hours in warm water before sowing, removing the fluff present.
A period of cold stratification facilitates germination.
The seed germinates in 1 – 9 months or more at 20°C.
When the seedlings have emerged it is advisable, as soon as possible, to plant them in individual pots in an unheated greenhouse for their first winter. The transplant should then be carried out in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts.
It can also be propagated by agamic means by preparing semi-mature wood cuttings, taken from the nodes, in mid-summer and then placed in a shaded area.
It is also possible to prepare internodal cuttings of soft to semi-mature wood, in the period of late spring, to then be placed in sandy soil, always in a shaded area.

Customs and Traditions –
Clematis vitalba is a poisonous plant due to the presence of alkaloids and saponins (in particular protoanemonin), substances also present in other genera of the family, which accumulates above all in the older organs. May cause skin irritation on contact, however the toxic principle is dissipated by heating or drying.
It is considered a woodland weed. In fact, especially in association with the brambles, the clematis creates real inextricable tangles to the detriment of the arboreal vegetation which is heavily attacked and suffocated. These presences are in fact almost always the expression of a forest degradation that has degenerated over time. It is a plant visited by bees, which collect its nectar.
In the past it was called “grass of the ragged” as the beggars used to get irritations and ulcerations with the leaves of this plant in order to pity the possible donors.
In the past, in some countries, the woody part was cut and used as a cigarette substitute by young people who didn’t have the money to buy them.
As a common plant with a flexible consistency, the clematis is often used for the production of round baskets or other tools in the field of basketry.
In Italy its use is widespread in place of willow, especially in Romagna.
In New Zealand it has been declared an “unwanted organism” and cannot be propagated, distributed or sold. In fact, due to its fast and vigorous growth, it represents a threat to the native species.
This plant is also included as a remedy in Bach flowers with the name of Clematis suggested to those who daydream, are indifferent to life and flee from reality.
Today Clematis vitalba is used as an ingredient in commercial cosmetic preparations.
In edible use, the young shoots are used – cooked and used as hop shoots (Humulus lupulus); obviously caution is advised due to its toxicity.
In general the plant should be treated with caution and not taken internally without expert guidance because, as mentioned, it is poisonous.
The leaves are analgesic, diuretic and rubefacient.
The boiled roots and stems are used as a cure for itching.
When applied to the nostrils, the juice of the plant has been used to relieve migraine attacks, but it can also destroy mucous membranes.
A homeopathic remedy is obtained from the plant. It is used in the treatment of rheumatism and skin rashes.
It is also one of the five ingredients of the so-called “rescue remedy”.
Among other things, it should be remembered that the stems are used to prepare baskets and other wicker artifacts.
An extract of the flowers, leaves and stems is used as an ingredient in commercial cosmetic preparations as a skin conditioner.

Method of Preparation –
Clematis vitalba has been used over time for both food and medicinal or cosmetic purposes.
It is used in cooking using spring sprouts for omelettes. due to the toxins common to the Ranunculaceae family it is advisable not to consume large quantities. It is necessary to use only the very young parts of the clematis in which the concentration of toxic substances is very low.

Guido Bissanti

Sources
– Acta Plantarum – Flora of the Italian Regions.
– Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
– GBIF, the Global Biodiversity Information Facility.
– Useful Tropical Plants Database.
– Conti F., Abbate G., Alessandrini A., Blasi C. (ed.), 2005. An annotated checklist of the Italian vascular flora, Palombi Editore.
– Pignatti S., 1982. Flora of Italy, Edagricole, Bologna.
– Treben M., 2000. Health from the Lord’s Pharmacy, Advice and experiences with medicinal herbs, Ennsthaler Editore.
Photo source:
– https://inaturalist-open-data.s3.amazonaws.com/photos/254126920/original.jpeg

Attention: The pharmaceutical applications and alimurgical uses are indicated for informational purposes only, they do not in any way represent a medical prescription; we therefore decline all responsibility for their use for curative, aesthetic or food purposes.