Clematis flammula is a climbing woody deciduous vine, which can be evergreen under the right climatic conditions. It can grow up to 12-23 ft. (3.6-7 cm) and sends out many shoots. It is native to Europe, temperate Asia, and northern Africa.

Foliage

C. flammula The leaves are opposite, compound (with 5-9 leaflets), and the margins are entire. Leaflets are each 2-4 in. (5-10 cm) long.

Flowers

Showy, white, fragrant, four-petaled flowers appear in the late summer through the fall. Flowers are less than 2 in. wide.

Fruit

Seeds are also showy and production is prolific. Brown seed heads have long, silvery-gray, feather-like hairs or bristles attached. This allows the seed to be dispersed by the wind.

Ecological Threat

C. flammula grows best along forest edges, landscaping, and gardens. Grows vigorously and can quickly overgrow native vegetation. All parts of the plant are toxic.

Citations

Rawlins, K.A., R.L. Winston, C.T. Bargeron, D.J. Moorhead, and R. Carroll. 2018. New Invaders of the Northeast and Northcentral United States. USDA Forest Service, Forest Health Assessment and Applied Sciences Team, Morgantown, West Virginia. FHTET-2017-04. Retrieved from https://bugwoodcloud.org/resource/pdf/FHTET-2017-04_New%20Invaders_NE.pdf

Selected Images

Maps

Invasive Listing Sources

• New Invaders of the Northeast and Northcentral
• New Jersey Invasive Species Strike Team 2017 Invasive Species List

References