Clematis dioica

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Distribution

This plant, Clematis dioica, exhibits a widespread presence across several key regions of Mexico. Its distribution includes significant populations found within Mexico Central. Additionally, the species can be located throughout Mexico Northeast. The plant's range also extends into the coastal areas of Mexico Gulf. Finally, it is documented occurring in both Mexico Northwest and Mexico Southwest.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Clematis dioica is characterized by its status as a perennial, allowing the plant to persist through multiple growing seasons. As a long-lived herbaceous or semi-woody climber, it establishes a robust root system that supports its continuous growth cycle and ability to recover after periods of dormancy. Throughout its life, the plant undergoes seasonal transitions, developing climbing stems that utilize specialized petioles to navigate through surrounding vegetation to reach sunlight. Its reproductive phase involves a cycle of flowering and seed production, which contributes to the long-term maintenance of its population in its natural habitat.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Clematis dioica is characterized by its growth habit as a woody liana, functioning as an obligatory climber that relies on external structures for support. This plant is primarily terrestrial in its ecological niche, rather than aquatic or epiphytic, and grows as an independent organism without parasitic tendencies. It is capable of reaching a substantial plant height, with an average stature of approximately 10 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

liana

Climber :

obligatory

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Parasite :

independent

Plant height mean:

10 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Clematis dioica is characterized by its specific metabolic and nutritional strategies. It utilizes the C3 photosynthetic pathway, a mechanism common to most temperate woody climbers, where carbon fixation occurs directly through the Calvin cycle within the mesophyll cells. Furthermore, this species is not a nitrogen fixer, meaning it lacks the symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into a usable form, and instead relies on the uptake of nitrates and ammonium from the surrounding soil to support its growth and development.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Clematis dioica is characterized by specialized seed morphology and dispersal mechanisms. The plant produces seeds with a highly specific mass profile, where the mean seed mass is recorded at 0.00199 g, ranging from a minimum of 0.00177 g to a maximum of 0.0023 g. In terms of its dispersal strategy, the species exhibits an anemochorous syndrome, meaning it relies on wind to transport its seeds to new locations, facilitating its spread through the environment.

Dispersal syndrome :

anemochorous

Seed mass max:

0.0023 g

Seed mass mean:

0.00199 g

Seed mass min:

0.00177 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Clematis dioica has 5 reported plant parts identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include flower, fruit, leaf, root, stem.

Flower

1. Revista de biologia tropical

Fruit

1. Revista de biologia tropical

Leaf

1. Revista de biologia tropical

Root

1. Revista de biologia tropical

Stem

1. Revista de biologia tropical

Preparations

Clematis dioica has 1 reported preparations identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include whole.

Whole

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology