Clematis
Clematis is a genus of about 300 species within the buttercup family Ranunculaceae. Their garden hybrids have been popular among gardeners, beginning with
Clematis × jackmanii, a garden standby since 1862; more hybrid cultivars are being produced constantly. They are mainly of Chinese and Japanese origin. Most species are known as
clematis in English, while some are also known as
traveller's joy, a name invented for the sole British native,
C. vitalba, by the herbalist John Gerard;
virgin's bower for
C. viticella;
old man's beard, applied to several with prominent seedheads; and
leather flower or
vase vine for the North American
Clematis viorna.