This is a massively impressive, vigorous climber for the wild garden. For more information on Noxious weed regulations and … Control of old man's beard in King County is recommended but not required. Credit: Colin Varndell / Alamy Stock Photo Deciduous, climbing, layering vine (<20 m tall) with very long, woody stems with six prominent ribs (appear as furrows in older vines) and pale, easily rubbed-off bark. Old man's beard is a Class C noxious weed on the Washington State Noxious Weed List. Other common names are used regionally in England (West, 1991). Leaves are arranged in opposite pairs on the stems, and are made up of five (rarely three) widely spaced leaflets that fall in autumn. The common name, 'traveller's joy', also refers to this massive floral display, whereas the common names 'old man's beard' and 'virgin's bower' refer to the creamy mass of feathery achenes that hang on the bare canes through winter. Traveller's joy (Clematis vitalba) Also known as old man’s beard, this woody member of the buttercup family is often seen scrambling over hedgerows. Look out for their iconic flowers. Clematis vitalba (also known as old man's beard and traveller's joy) is a shrub of the family Ranunculaceae. Old man's beard is not on the prohibited plants list administered by the Washington State Department of Agriculture, but some nurseries have volunteered to stop selling it due to its danger to natural resources.