Family: buttercups (Ranunculaceae)
Flowering time: July–August
Size: stem up to 30 m long
Habitat: forests, forest edges and shrubs
Common clematis (Clematis vitalba) is a climber with a woody stem that can grow up to 30 m in length and reach the girth of a strong man's arm. Its shoots are leafy with once-pinnately divided, oppositely arranged leaves. Its milky-white flowers with a greenish tinge measure up to 2 cm in diameter and are grouped in lavish inflorescences fragrant of honey. The petals are densely hairy on both sides. From each flower protrude numerous stamens, whose anthers are 1 to 2 mm long. After fertilization the long-haired pistils extend to 2 to 3 cm in length, and the fruiting common clematis is adorned with numerous ’cofki’.
The common clematis grows best on neutral soils rich in nitrogen. It grows most vigorously and blooms lavishly in sunny locations. It is widespread and common throughout Slovenia.
