Clematis vitalba

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific presence across several regions within Northern Europe. It can be found growing in the natural landscapes of Denmark. Its distribution also extends to the islands of Great Britain and Ireland. Furthermore, the species is documented within the territories of Norway. Finally, it is widely recognized as part of the flora in Sweden.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Clematis vitalba is characterized by its ability to thrive in diverse environments, specifically favoring habitats such as forests, mountains, shrubberies, and stony places. As a climbing woody vine, it utilizes these various landscapes to find structural support for its growth. In terms of its symbiotic relationships with soil fungi, this species does not form mycorrhizal associations, meaning it does not rely on mycorrhiza for nutrient uptake.

Habitat :

forest, mountains, shrubberies, stony places

Mycorrhiza :

no

Life history

The life history of Clematis vitalba is characterized by its nature as a perennial species, allowing it to establish a persistent presence within its ecosystem over multiple growing seasons. As a phanerophyte, the plant utilizes elevated structures to support its growth, often climbing through surrounding vegetation to reach sunlight. Its physiological cycle is marked by being deciduous, meaning it sheds its foliage annually as part of its seasonal rhythm. This combination of a long-lived perennial lifecycle and a deciduous habit dictates its pattern of growth and dormancy throughout the year.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Clematis vitalba is characterized by its growth as a woody liana, functioning as an obligatory climber that relies on external structures for support. While its growth form can be categorized under the broader classification of a shrub, it is specifically a climbing woody plant that exhibits a terrestrial habit rather than an aquatic or epiphytic one. As an independent organism, it does not function as a parasite. In terms of stature, the plant displays significant vertical reach, with its height ranging from a minimum of 1.5 m to a maximum of 30 m, maintaining an average plant height of approximately 20 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

liana

Climber :

obligatory

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

30 m

Plant height mean:

20 m

Plant height min:

1.5 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Clematis vitalba is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, indicating a standard carbon fixation process typical of many temperate woody climbers. The plant is non-carnivorous and does not function as a nitrogen fixer, relying instead on soil nutrient uptake. Its leaf morphology displays significant surface area for light interception, with a mean leaf size of 56.33 cm² and a mean leaf width of 12 cm, which reaches a maximum and minimum value of 12 cm. The leaf length can reach a maximum of 22 cm, contributing to its overall canopy structure. Furthermore, the plant exhibits a mean Specific Leaf Area (SLA) of 242.9 cm²/g, reflecting the relationship between its leaf area and dry mass, which is indicative of its resource allocation strategies and leaf thickness.

Carnivory :

non-carnivorous

Leaf length max:

22 cm

Leaf size mean:

56.33 cm²

Leaf width mean:

12 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) mean:

242.9 cm²/g

Reproduction

The reproduction of Clematis vitalba is primarily driven by sexual processes, as asexual reproduction is notably absent. The flowering period typically begins in June and concludes in July. During this time, the plant utilizes a biotic pollination syndrome, specifically relying on insects such as bees to facilitate fertilization; notably, self-fertilization is absent, ensuring genetic diversity through cross-pollination. Following successful pollination, the plant produces dry, indehiscent fruits classified as achenes, which have a mean length of 0.2 cm. The resulting seeds are characterized by a consistent length of 2.3 mm and a mean volume of 2.1 mm³. The seed mass varies, with a minimum of 0.00127 g and a maximum of 0.0026 g (with a mean of approximately 0.002607 g). For dispersal, the species employs an anemochorous syndrome, meaning the seeds are dispersed by the wind.

Dehiscence :

indehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

anemochorous

Flowering time :

Jun

Flowering time :

Jul

Fruit dryness :

dry

Fruit length mean:

0.2 cm

Fruit type :

achene

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

bee

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Reproduction asexual :

absent

Seed length mean:

2.3 mm

Seed mass max:

0.0026 g

Seed mass mean:

0.002607 g

Seed mass min:

0.00127 g

Seed volume max:

2.1 mm³

Self fertilization :

absent

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Clematis vitalba has 18 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Anemonin, BETA-SITOSTEROL, Behenic acid, CAMPESTEROL, CERYL ALCOHOL.

Anemonin

1. Dr. Duke

BETA-SITOSTEROL

1. Dr. Duke

Behenic acid

1. Dr. Duke

CAMPESTEROL

1. Dr. Duke

CERYL ALCOHOL

1. Dr. Duke

CHLOROGENIC ACID

1. Dr. Duke

Caulosapogenin

1. Dr. Duke

Clematine

1. Dr. Duke

FAT

1. Dr. Duke

Ginnol

1. Dr. Duke

Activities

Clematis vitalba has 161 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Aldose-Reductase-Inhibitor, Allelochemic, Allergenic, Amebicide, Analgesic.

Aldose-Reductase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Allelochemic

1. Dr. Duke

Allergenic

1. Dr. Duke

Amebicide

1. Dr. Duke

Analgesic

1. Dr. Duke

Androgenic

1. Dr. Duke

Angiogenic

1. Dr. Duke

Anorexic

1. Dr. Duke

AntiEBV

1. Dr. Duke

AntiHIV

1. Dr. Duke

Preparations

Clematis vitalba has 1 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include omelettes.

Omelettes

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)