Clematicissus striata

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Vitis striata
• Ampelopsis striata
• Cissus striata

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Vitales and the family Vitaceae, it is classified under the genus Clematissus.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution that spans multiple continents. In Northern Europe, its presence is specifically noted within Great Britain. Moving to the Western Hemisphere, it can be found growing in Bolivia. The species also inhabits several distinct regions of Brazil, including the West-Central area. Furthermore, its range extends to the Southeast and South regions of Brazil.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Clematissus striata is characterized by an expansive altitudinal distribution that allows it to colonize a diverse array of topographical niches. This species exhibits remarkable environmental plasticity, inhabiting a broad elevational range that extends from sea level (0 m AMSL) to high-altitude montane environments reaching up to 3100 m AMSL. This wide vertical gradient suggests that the plant is capable of adapting to varying thermal regimes, atmospheric pressures, and moisture availability found across different mountain profiles. Consequently, its ecological presence spans from lowland habitats to subalpine zones, facilitating its survival across varied climatic conditions within its native landscape.

Elevational range max:

3100 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Clematissus striata is characterized by its classification as a perennial organism, meaning it persists through multiple growing seasons rather than completing its cycle in a single year. In terms of its structural growth strategy and ecological positioning, the species is categorized as a phanerophyte, specifically functioning as a phanerophyte in both its primary life form designation and its developmental habit. This life history profile indicates that the plant maintains its buds and regenerative structures well above the soil surface, allowing it to thrive in its specific environmental niche over a long-term biological duration.

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Clematissus striata is characterized by its growth habit as a woody liana, functioning as an obligatory climber that relies on external structures for support rather than being self-supporting. Although its biological classification places it within a range of potential habitats, its specific ecological expression is predominantly terrestrial, lacking aquatic or semiaquatic tendencies. As a plant that grows independently, it does not exhibit parasitic behavior, maintaining an independent nutritional status. While it shares certain structural similarities with shrubs in its woody constitution, its primary morphological identity is defined by its climbing vine nature and its firmly terrestrial existence, rather than functioning as an epiphyte.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

liana

Climber :

obligatory

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

woody

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Clematicissus striata has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include quercetin.

quercetin

1. Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland)