6. Greater Stitchwort (Slellaria Holostea, L.).

1. Traveller's Joy (Clematis Vitalba, L.). 2. Barberry (Herberts vulgaris, L.). 3. Winter Cress (Barbarea vulgaris, Ait.). 4. Hedge Mustard (Sisymbrium officinale, Scop.). 5. Sauce Alone (Sisymbrium Aliiaria, Scop.). - 6. Greater Stitchwort (Slellaria Holostea, L.).

Traveller's Joy (Clematis Vitalba, L.)

Photo. L. R. J. Horn - Traveller's Joy (clematis Vitalba, L.)

The achenes (i-seeded) are dispersed by the wind. Long hairs are developed at the end of the fruit like a long feathery awn to aid in wind dispersal.

Growing- on a lime soil, derived from chalk or limestone, it is a lime-loving plant, but will grow when transplanted on a more rocky soil derived from granite or sand soil.

Traveller's Joy is infested by one of the cluster-cup fungi, Aecidium clematidis. Lcemophlceus clematidis, a beetle, and the moths Small Waved Umber, Cidaria vitalbata, and Double-striped Pug, Eupithecia pumilata, are insects which feed on it.

The name Clematis was derived from clema, a sort of vine, and Vitalba, by Dodonseus, from vitis, vine, alba, white. Originally the name was Viorna, adorning the ways. Gerarde in 1597 gave the name Traveller's Joy.1 The common English names are Bedwine, Beggar-brushes, Bethwine, Bindwith, Climber, Crocodile, Grey-beards, Hag-rope, Honesty, Honey-stick, Lady's Bower, Love-bind, Old Man's Beard, Old Man's Woozard, Robin Hood's Fetter, Smoke-wood, etc. Boys smoke pieces of the stem, hence the last name, and the name Tom-bacca. Used for binding like withies it was called Bindwith, etc. The name Hag-rope means hedge-rope. It was called Devil's Thread in allusion to its supposed association with the Evil One. In pre-scientific days Pliny the naturalist tells us it was used for cleansing leprous sores, because of its caustic nature. It was used for blistering, and the young shoots were pickled for vinegar. Baskets are made from the plant in some districts. It is much used in gardens for forming arbours, and as a climbing plant in gardens.

Essential Specific Characters: 1. Clematis Vitalba, L. - Sepals valvate in the bud, carpels awned, achenes with feathery persistent styles, leaves opposite, stem climbing and woody, with tendrils.