CLEMATIS  , in

botany, a genus of the natural order Ranunculaceae, containing nearly two hundred species, and widely distributed . It is represented in England by Clematis Vitalba, " old man's beard " or " traveller's joy," a common plant on chalky or light soil . The plants are shrubby climbers with generally compound opposite leaves, the stalk of which is sensitive to contact like a tendril, becoming twisted round suitable objects and thereby giving support to the plant . The flowers are arranged in axillary or terminal clusters; they have no petals, but white or coloured, often very large sepals, and an indefinite number of stamens and carpels . They contain no honey, and are visited by insects for the sake of the pollen, which is plentiful . The fruit is a head of achenes, each bearing the long-bearded persistent style, suggesting the popular name . This feathery style is an important agent in the distribution of the seed by means of the wind . Several of the species, especially the large-flowered ones, are :favourite garden plants, well adapted for covering trellises Jr walls, or trailing over the ground . Many garden forms have been produced by hybridization; among the best known, is C . Jackmanni, due to Mr George Jackman of Woking . Further information may be obtained from The Clematis as a Garden Flower, by Thos . Moore and George Jackman .

See also G .

NIcholson, Dictionary of Gardening, i . (1885) and Supplements .