Clematis brachiata Thunb.

Taxonomic Identity

Clematis brachiata, commonly called traveller's joy, is a hardy deciduous liana from Southern Africa that belongs to the plant family Ranunculaceae.

Growth Habit

This species typically clambers up to the tops of trees and shrubs, sprawling out over their crowns.

Leaf Structure

Its leaves are compound, bearing between 1 and 7 leaflets.

Flower Characteristics

It produces attractive, strongly scented flowers during the summer season.

Fruit Characteristics

Its achenes are covered in fine silky hairs.

Distribution

Clematis brachiata is common in the northern regions of South Africa and in KwaZulu-Natal.

First Formal Description

It was first formally described by celebrated Swedish naturalist Carl Peter Thunberg, who lived from 1743 to 1828.

Genus Name Etymology

The genus name Clema comes from Greek, meaning a liane.

Specific Epithet Etymology

The Latin specific epithet brachiata translates to "provided with arms", a reference to the species' right-angled opposite branching pattern, which resembles arms extending out from a torso.