Ranunculaceae

Clematis vitalba

Traveler's Joy

Woody vine climbing trees, shrubs, fences, or sprawling on ground if without supports. Leaves divided pinnately, leaflets entire or upper lobed with stalk twining around supports. Flowers, in loose clusters from leaf axils, contain both male and female parts, about 3/4 in. across, 5 greenish white petal-like sepals. Seed at center of fluffy head of long twisted tails. Grows in limey soils, sand, waste places in woodlands and open areas. Very similar to the native C. ligusticifolia, found in wet places, with coarsely toothed leaves and separate male and female flowers.

• Rarity: Locally Common
• Flowering Time: All Summer
• Life Cycle: Perennial
• Height: to 50 feet
• Habitat: West-Side Forest, Disturbed
• Found In: Olympic Np, N Cascades Np
• Native: No