Clematis villosa subsp. stanleyi fruit, old and dry

Seen close-up, parts of the old and dry floral remains of Clematis villosa subsp. stanleyi have here turned into ripe fruit.

Each small, blackish fruit (at the top in picture) has a long, brown, wiry attachment covered in fine white hairs. This ostentatious endowment serves in wind dispersal of the seed. The outward and downward curvature of the wiry attachments happens in unison in the head, a concerted effort that avoids getting snared. This allows the head to flaunt elegant lines, a “coiffure” with no touching among attachments. The soft, white hairs on these stiff styles are by now dry, erect and feathery, ready for their adventurous, floating flight into the unknown.

A tangled mess of wires would never do, so interference among attachments is avoided by design. Clear separation of the seeds ensures individually determined planting destinations for all. This affords tomorrow’s new plants the chance of an own living space, the wind serving as garden designer... for free!