Clematis

Clematis

Bosclematis, bosdruif



Clematis vitalba (Bot.)

Old man's beard, traveler's joy, withywind (Eng.)

CLEMATITE Haies des (French)

Gemein Waldrebe, Teufelszwirn, Hexen Strang (German)

Ranunculaceae - buttercup family

branches with fluff



Who in South Limburg walk through the woods, has wondered about the vine-like, spirally twisted trunks and branches who climb or hang down from the trees. These climbers give the wood a little jungle-like appearance. It's the beard, or who bosclematis as rife as in any other part of the Netherlands. Spectacular are the fluffy seeds in the autumn in the autumn sun shine silver. If they are covered with snow or frost, it seems that the forest in bloom.



Spread

Clematis is native to the temperate zones of Europe, Asia and America. It grows preferably on calcareous and slightly moist soil in forests, woodland edges and in thickets along rivers.



Naming

Clematis The word is derived from the Greek word for clema trailing plant. Vitalba is derived from the Latin word alba, and some white vine Vitis means. It got its name because of the long, silvery white hairs on the beak of the fruit. They appear at the end of summer. Applies the word old man's beard, because bosrankpluizen indeed resemble beards of old men. But the joy travelers name right, because the silvery fluff in the sight of a walkers delight.



Plant Characteristics

Clematis is a wild clematis that grows on calcareous soil.

The beard has greenish stems and twigs. Increase each year climbing stems three to six meters in all directions. The shiny dark green leaves are 1 to 4 cm. The branched, thin stems that the leaves are, the same color as the leaves. The stems are sometimes gray frosting.

Clematis flowers in the July / August with numerous cream-colored, small flower that smells nice. They have four green sepals cream.

In the autumn the flowers to develop seeds that are surrounded by woolly fluff. These silvery fluff continue during the winter the plant head.

They are not attached plants such as ivy, independent roots in the ground and trees and branches are needed for support. They meander as it were, through and over trees and bushes and can sometimes completely cover. Sometimes they reach a height of 30 m.

Clematis is slightly poisonous!

Symbolism

Clematis is symbolic of the pursuit of the highest, for strength, self-esteem and not let you get in a negative sense of dominance and assertiveness.

winter branches



Significance for the forest

Birds nest in the branches like the beard. They find it a protected spot. The flowers provide nectar for many insects.