Clematis vitalba facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Clematis vitalba |
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| The silky appendages of the fruits | |
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C. vitalba
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| Clematis vitalba L. (1753)
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Old man’s beard (its scientific name is Clematis vitalba) is a very fast-growing plant. It is a type of vine that can climb over trees and shrubs. It grows so much that it can cover them completely. This stops the trees and shrubs from getting enough light from the sun. Without sunlight, they cannot grow and can even die.
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What Old Man's Beard Looks Like
Clematis vitalba is a climbing plant with many branches. Its stems have grooves that you can easily feel. The leaves fall off in autumn, meaning they are deciduous.
This plant has greeny-white flowers that smell nice. These flowers have soft, fluffy parts called sepals. After the flowers, many fruits grow. Each fruit has a long, silky tail. When you see all these silky tails together, they look like a fluffy white beard. This is why the plant is called "old man's beard."
Many types of moths eat this plant. For some moths, Clematis vitalba is the only plant they eat.
Why Old Man's Beard Can Be a Problem
Clematis vitalba spreads very easily and grows quickly. Because of this, it is an invasive plant in many places. This means it grows where it is not wanted and can harm other plants. Even in areas where it naturally grows, it can become a problem.
For example, if new trees are planted, Clematis vitalba can grow over them. It can form a thick layer that stops the young trees from getting sunlight. This can make the new trees die if the Clematis is not removed.
Old Man's Beard in New Zealand
In New Zealand, Clematis vitalba is called an "unwanted organism." It is on a special list called the National Pest Plant Accord. This means people cannot sell, grow, or share this plant there.
It is a big threat to New Zealand's native plants. It grows very strongly and creates a thick cover. This cover smothers and kills all the other plants underneath it. Also, there are no natural animals or insects in New Zealand that control its growth.
New Zealand has its own native types of Clematis. You can tell them apart from C. vitalba by touching their stems. The native ones have smooth stems, while C. vitalba has grooved stems.
How People Have Used Old Man's Beard
People have found different uses for Clematis vitalba over time.
In Switzerland, people used the stems of this plant to make rope during the Stone Age. In Slovenia, the stems were used to weave baskets, especially for onions. They also used them to tie up crops. It was good for tying bundles of grain because mice do not like to chew on it.
In Italy, young shoots of the plant are picked and used in cooking. In a region called Tuscany, people make omelettes with them called "vitalbini." In another region called Veneto, they call these omelettes "visoni."
Some people also believe that Clematis vitalba can help with stress and nerves.
Images for kids
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Flowers -
Close-up of a flower -
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Fruits
See also
In Spanish: Clematis vitalba para niños
