Clematis vitalba L.

Deciduous woody climber; stems 6-angled, strongly ribbed. Lvs sparsely hairy, green, 1-pinnate, 12–20 × 8–16 cm; leaflets usually 5, rarely 3, thin, ovate, rarely lanceolate, truncate or cordate at base, acuminate; margin entire or toothed; lvs of young growth narrower, thinner, hairier, and more deeply toothed; petiole (3)–4–8 cm long, with sparse to dense fine silky hairs. Fls erect, ☿, in compound axillary dichasial cymes. Bracts paired, spathulate to subulate, not united, inserted below middle of pedicel. Sepals 4–(5), valvate, greenish, densely hairy above and beneath, especially near margins, narrowly oblong to oblong-obovate, obtuse, 6–11–(15) × 2–4 mm. Anthers 1.5–2 mm long; filaments glabrous, linear. Achenes compressed, hairy, 2–2.5 mm long. Style 3–4 cm long at fruiting.

[From: Webb et al. (1988) Flora of New Zealand. Volume 4.]

Flowering: Dec.–May; Fruiting: Mar.–Oct.