What
Old man’s beard is a deciduous woody clematis introduced as an ornamental. It climbs into vegetation and spreads by wind- and water-carried seed and by stem fragments that contact soil.
Visual markers
- Opposite compound leaves, usually with five leaflets, on a deciduous climbing vine.
- Creamy-white flowers in summer followed by conspicuous clusters of long, white, feathery seed plumes.
- Young stems are ribbed and may be purple; older woody vines are grey-brown and flaky.
- Look for curtain-like growth over shrubs, trees, fences and vegetation beside waterways or roads.
Why
Its vigorous vines hang as dense curtains over shrubs and trees, blocking light, damaging supporting plants and preventing native seedlings from establishing.
Where
It occurs in shrublands, forest margins and canopy gaps, along waterways, roads and fences, and on disturbed land. Current infestations and local rules should be checked with the relevant council.
Identification notes
Keep in mind: Do not rely on the fluffy seed heads alone. A verified, practical comparison with New Zealand native clematis remains open work.
Supporting images
Old man’s beard smothering a cabbage tree on the Port Hills, Christchurch, New Zealand. Alan Liefting · Public domain
Established knowledge
For consequential field decisions, consider the knowledge state and cited sources for each claim, and consult authoritative guidance where appropriate. Information and reliance terms
50% reference coverage — not scientific certainty or ecological progress
- Identification
- NZ status
- Ecological impact
- Sources
Open knowledge
These are parts of the public picture that could become clearer with better evidence.
- Distribution
- Visual clues
- Confusion species
- Regional intelligence
Sources & credits
- Environment Canterbury — Old man's beardEnvironment Canterbury · Canonical identity, diagnostic features and NZ pest status
- DOC — weedsauthoritative · General invasive-weed context
Field observations
Field observations connect sightings and signs with a place, time and source. They can support evidence after review. This dossier does not accept public submissions.
No field observations are published for this Target.
Commentary
Local experience, corrections and context help explain the public record. Commentary is not verified knowledge. This dossier does not accept public comments.
No commentary is published for this Target.
Questions and Missions
What can the sources tell us, and what still needs evidence? Explore dossier discoveries and research questions to understand this Target. Research leads identify knowledge gaps; they are not field assignments.
Explore Missions and Hunt mode for Old man’s beard- Where are infestations expanding?Research question · evidence needed
- What field-tested features reliably distinguish old man’s beard from New Zealand native clematis?Research question · evidence needed
Shout Out
Shout Out
Share this record so others can explore the same question, place or ecological work. The link keeps its context and sources together.
Old man’s beard — The Hit List — NZ Ex Games
Canonical link
/hit-list/weed-old-mans-beard