''Clematis flammula'', the fragrant virgin's bower, is a species of flowering plant in the family

Ranunculaceae Ranunculaceae (, buttercup or crowfoot family; Latin "little frog", from "frog") is a family (biology), family of over 2,000 known species of flowering plants in 43 genera, distributed worldwide. The largest genera are ''Ranunculus'' (600 spec ...

. This

deciduous In the fields of horticulture and botany, the term deciduous () means "falling off at maturity" and "tending to fall off", in reference to trees and shrubs that seasonally shed Leaf, leaves, usually in the autumn; to the shedding of petals, aft ...

climbing plant is native to southern Europe and northern Africa, but it is cultivated worldwide as an

ornamental plant Ornamental plants or ''garden plants'' are plants that are primarily grown for their beauty but also for qualities such as scent or how they shape physical space. Many flowering plants and garden varieties tend to be specially bred cultivars th ...

in gardens. It bears fragrant white flowers and small green

achene An achene (; ), also sometimes called akene and occasionally achenium or achenocarp, is a type of simple fruit, simple dry fruits, dry fruit produced by many species of flowering plants. Achenes are monocarpellate (formed from one carpel) and Dehi ...

s. When the flowers are newly opened they have a strong sweet

almond The almond (''Prunus amygdalus'', Synonym (taxonomy)#Botany, syn. ''Prunus dulcis'') is a species of tree from the genus ''Prunus''. Along with the peach, it is classified in the subgenus ''Amygdalus'', distinguished from the other subgenera ...

fragrance. ''

Clematis × aromatica ''Clematis'' × ''aromatica'', the scented clematis, is a hybrid species of flowering plant in the family Ranunculaceae Ranunculaceae (, buttercup or crowfoot family; Latin "little frog", from "frog") is a family (biology), family of over 2, ...

'', the scented clematis, is the result of a cross with '' Clematis integrifolia''. ''Clematis flammula'' grows in a tangled mass that is heavily sprinkled with flowers throughout the warmer months. It is popular with gardeners as a decoration along fences and trellises, or as ground cover. If it has no other plants or structures to climb on, it will climb on itself, forming a large, densely tangled bush. The plant sends out many shoots and can reach over five metres in height. In some areas, this species has become a nuisance after its

introduction Introduction, The Introduction, Intro, or The Intro may refer to: General use * Introduction (music), an opening section of a piece of music * Introduction (writing), a beginning section to a book, article or essay which states its purpose and g ...

. It is a weed outside of gardens and landscaped areas. ''Clematis flammula'' var. ''maritima'' is a hardier variety that is adapted to sand dunes. It is currently being studied as an agent of soil stabilization on

eroded Erosion is the action of surface processes (such as water flow or wind) that removes soil, rock, or dissolved material from one location on the Earth's crust and then transports it to another location where it is deposited. Erosion is disti ...

sandy beaches.

Diseases

''C. flammula'' suffers from ''

Tomato spotted wilt virus Tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) is a spherical Sense (molecular biology), negative-sense RNA virus. Transmitted by thrips, it causes serious losses in economically important crops and it is one of the most economically devastating plant viruses ...

''.

References

External links

Clematis flammula in TopwalksUSDA Plants ProfileReferences
{{Taxonbar, from=Q909197 flammula Flora of Africa Flora of Lebanon Flora of Europe Taxa named by Carl Linnaeus Plants described in 1753