162 CLEMATIS 



inner tend to depart from this arrangement (Fig. 28). 

 The outermost scale very frequently carries a bud in its 

 axil. 



The only similar thorny plant is Prunus spinosa, where 

 the buds are aggregated, blunt and alternate (see p. 192) ; 

 in the general aspect of the dark branches, pale epidermis, 

 &c., it also simulates the Blackthorn, but the buds and 

 leaf-scars are here sub-opposite. 



(b) Twigs never thorny ; buds opposite and decussate, 

 (i) Shrub, climbing ; internodes long. 



(a) Buds very small and tomentose, nearly 

 buried in the leaf-axil, and showing 

 2 4 scales only ; petioles persistent, 

 dry and stiffly extended, some acting as 

 tendrils. 



Clematis vitalba, L. Traveller's Joy. The twigs are 

 thin, six-angled, and slightly rilled and silky ; internodes 

 long and weak with abundant round pith. Bud-scales 

 pointed, brown-red and hairy. Twigs olive-green, often 

 tinged violet-red, with traces of pubescence, passing to 

 grey or yellowish grey branches which cast the periderm 

 in strips. The long plumed achenes often persist far into 

 the winter, and explain the popular name " Old Man's 

 Beard " sometimes given to the shrub. There is no other 

 native hedge-plant with opposite leaf-tendrils. 



(ft) Buds Wangled, rapidly extended in spring 

 and then almost fusiform, with numerous 

 loose dry membranous-herbaceous scales, 

 standing off at an angle of 45 or more. 

 Pith hollow. Twining plant. Lenticels 

 not obvious. 



