The Traveller’s Joy

For centuries considered a plant of travellers, Clematis vitalba was already called “Traveller’s Joy” by Tudor herbalists, as its feathery clusters shining in the sunlight cheered those walking along rural paths. Its long, flexible and durable vines were woven into ties, baskets and small cords. In folk medicine, it was valued for its supposed analgesic and counter-irritant properties. In many Italian regions, the young shoots (known as vitalbini or visoni) were collected in spring as wild greens for omelettes, soups or risottos, to be consumed in moderation due to the irritant compounds typical of this family. Ecologically, it is an important melliferous species and provides shelter for insects and small birds: its summer flowers attract bees and butterflies, while its dense tangles offer protection. However, its vigorous growth makes it invasive in some areas.