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Traveller’s Joy
Clematis brachiata
SA tree number
English: Traveller’s Joy, Old Man's Beard, Wild Clematis, Large-leaved Clematis, Forest Clematis
Afrikaans: Klimop, Lemoenbloeisels, Bosrank, Ou Man se Baard, Rankbos
Xhosa: Ityolo,Umababaza
Zulu: umDuli, umDlonzo
N. Sotho: Legonyana
S. Sotho: Lebota
Tswana: Moologa
Historical scientific names: Clematis oweniae, Clematis thunbergii
Clematis brachiata, commonly known as Traveller's Joy or Klimop, is a vigorous indigenous deciduous climber. It is highly valued for its abundant sprays of fragrant, creamy-white flowers that literally cover the plant in late summer and autumn, followed by distinctive fluffy, silvery seed heads that persist for months, resembling an "old man's beard." It's a wonderful addition to any garden, providing a spectacular seasonal display.
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Distinguishing features:
Leaves are pinnately compound, with 3 to 7 leaflets.
Abundant clusters of small, fragrant, creamy-white, star-like flowers with four sepals (no petals).
Prominent, fluffy, silvery-white seed heads resembling "old man's beard" after flowering.
A vigorous, twining climber that scrambles over other vegetation or structures.
Deciduous, losing its leaves in winter.
Overall appearance:
The Traveller's Joy (Clematis brachiata) is a robust and fast-growing deciduous climber that can transform a landscape with its seasonal displays. In late summer and autumn, it becomes a spectacle of massed, sweetly scented, creamy-white flowers, followed by an equally impressive show of silvery, feathery seed heads that shimmer in the sunlight, creating a truly eye-catching effect.
Height:
As a climber, it can reach heights of 3 to 15 metres or more, scrambling over trees, shrubs, fences, and pergolas.
Width:
Can spread laterally for several metres, covering a large area.
Leaves:
The leaves are opposite, pinnately compound, typically consisting of 3 to 7 leaflets (usually 5). The leaflets are ovate to lanceolate, 2-10 cm long, with entire or coarsely toothed margins. They are dark green above and paler beneath, with prominent venation. The leaf stalks (petioles) are often twisting and twining, acting as tendrils to help the plant climb. The leaves turn yellow before falling in autumn.
Flowers:
The flowers are numerous, small (about 2-4 cm in diameter), star-like, and borne in large, branched, axillary and terminal clusters (panicles). They lack true petals, instead having four prominent, creamy-white to yellowish-white sepals. The flowers are sweetly scented, with a strong, pleasant fragrance, especially noticeable in the evening. Male and female flowers are typically found on separate plants (dioecious), though sometimes functionally bisexual flowers can occur. For good seed set, both male and female plants are needed.
Flowering season:
It has an impressive flowering season, primarily from late summer to autumn (around February to May), often continuing into early winter.
Fruits:
The fruit is an achene (a small, dry, one-seeded fruit). Each achene has a long, feathery, persistent style (the part of the flower that becomes the "beard"), which aids in wind dispersal. Numerous achenes clump together to form the distinctive fluffy, silvery "old man's beard" seed heads.
Seeds:
Small, black, oval-shaped seeds are contained within the achenes. Each seed is attached to a long, feathery "tail" (the persistent style), which allows it to be carried long distances by wind.
Bark/Stems:
The stems are slender, woody, and twining. Young stems are greenish and somewhat hairy, becoming browner and more woody with age. They wrap around supports to climb.
Thorns:
None.
Roots:
It has a fibrous root system that helps it anchor and draw moisture from the soil.
Soil type:
Adaptable to a wide range of well-drained soils, from sandy to loamy and clay soils. It prefers rich, moist soil, but can tolerate drier conditions once established. It thrives in soils with good organic content.
Aspect:
Prefers full sun for abundant flowering, but can tolerate partial shade, especially in hotter inland areas where it might appreciate some afternoon protection. It is moderately drought-tolerant once established. It is fairly frost-tolerant, and its deciduous nature protects it from severe cold.
Ediblity:
Not considered edible for humans.
Toxicity:
Like many plants in the Ranunculaceae (buttercup) family, Clematis brachiata contains protoanemonin, a bitter, irritating chemical. Contact with the sap can cause skin irritation or blistering (dermatitis) in sensitive individuals. Ingestion can cause irritation of the mouth, throat, and digestive system, leading to symptoms like nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea. Therefore, it is considered toxic if ingested.
Uses:
Primarily cultivated as an ornamental plant for its spectacular floral display and attractive feathery seed heads. It is an excellent choice for covering pergolas, trellises, fences, walls, or scrambling through large shrubs and trees. Its dense growth provides good screening. It is also used in erosion control due to its spreading habit. In traditional medicine, various parts of the plant have been used for a range of ailments, though caution is advised due to its toxicity.
Ecology:
The sweetly scented flowers attract various insect pollinators, including bees and butterflies. The feathery seed heads are designed for wind dispersal, allowing the seeds to travel over long distances. It provides cover and nesting sites for birds and small animals. It is a vital component of woodland and grassland ecosystems, where it often scrambles over other vegetation.
Distribution and habitat:
Clematis brachiata is very widespread throughout South Africa, found in all nine provinces (Western Cape, Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, Free State, Mpumalanga, Limpopo, Gauteng, North West, and Northern Cape). Its range extends widely across tropical and southern Africa, including Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Botswana, Namibia, Lesotho, Eswatini, and further north. It grows in a diverse range of habitats, including forest margins, open woodlands, wooded grasslands, rocky hillsides, stream banks, and along roadsides.
Derivation of name:
The genus name Clematis comes from the Greek word 'klēma', meaning 'vine' or 'tendril', referring to the climbing habit of most species.
The species epithet brachiata is Latin, meaning 'having arms or branches', or 'branched at right angles', referring to its spreading and branching growth habit.
The common name "Traveller's Joy" is thought to have been coined by the herbalist John Gerard for a European Clematis species (C. vitalba), referring to how cheerful it makes the landscape look in late summer.
"Old Man's Beard" describes the fluffy, greyish-white seed heads that resemble an old man's beard.
"Klimop" is Afrikaans for "climb up."
Historical aspects:
As one of the most common and visible indigenous climbers across Southern Africa, Clematis brachiata has long been a familiar sight in the natural landscape. Its vibrant autumn display and unique seed heads have made it a subject of fascination. Traditional uses of the plant by various indigenous communities for medicinal purposes, despite its known toxicity, underscore its historical significance as a source of remedies. Its hardiness has allowed it to thrive in diverse environments, making it a resilient part of the region's flora.
Interesting facts:
This plant puts on a spectacular show in late summer and autumn, often completely covering trees or fences with a cloud of white flowers, making the landscape look like it's been dusted with snow!
After the flowers fade, they transform into fluffy, silvery-white "beards" of seeds, which are equally eye-catching and beautiful, especially when lit by the sun.
It's known as "Traveller's Joy" because its abundant blooms bring cheer to the roadside and countryside for travellers.
Despite its beautiful appearance, this plant is best enjoyed visually and not ingested, as parts of it can be irritating or toxic if eaten.
Growing tips:
Propagation: Easily propagated from fresh seed, which can be sown in autumn or spring. Cuttings can also be taken from semi-hardwood stems in summer.
Light: Prefers full sun for abundant flowering but tolerates partial shade.
Watering: Water regularly during establishment. Once established, it is very drought-tolerant and requires minimal watering, especially in winter when it is deciduous.
Soil: Adaptable to most well-drained soil types. Incorporating compost will enhance growth.
Support: Requires a strong trellis, fence, pergola, or other support structure to climb on. Its twining leaf stalks grip onto thin supports.
Pruning: Prune in late winter or early spring (before new growth begins) to remove dead or weak stems and to control its size and shape. It can be quite vigorous.
This plant is a fantastic alternative for:
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