Chinese clematis

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Chinese clematis
• oriental clematis
• oriental virgin's-bower
• orange peel clematis

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Viticella orientalis
• Meclatis orientalis
• Clematis orientalis var. albida
• Clematis orientalis var. flava
• Clematis orientalis var. longicaudata
• Clematis orientalis var. globosa
• Clematis albida
• Clematis aurea
• Clematis dahurica
• Clematis orientalis var. hookeriana
• Clematis baltistanica
• Clematis orientalis var. lindleyana
• Clematis orientalis var. obtusifolia
• Clematis hysudrica
• Clematis glauca var. angustifolia
• Clematis flava
• Clematis globosa
• Clematitis flava
• Clematis orientalis var. baluchistanica
• Clematis orientalis var. robusta
• Clematis orientalis var. latifolia
• Clematis orientalis var. hindukushensis
• Clematis orientalis var. sinorobusta
• Clematis orientalis var. tenuifolia
• Clematis longicaudata

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, Clematis orientalis, belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. It is further classified under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Ranunculales. Finally, it resides in the family Ranunculaceae and is categorized under the genus Clematis.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad geographical distribution across several key regions of the European continent. In Middle Europe, its presence is noted within the territories of Czechia and Slovakia. Moving toward the Mediterranean, it can be found in Southwestern Europe, specifically in Spain, as well as in Southeastern Europe within Italy. The species also extends into Eastern Europe, where it inhabits the Crimea peninsula. Finally, its range reaches further into Eastern Europe through the regions of South European Russia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Clematis orientalis is characterized by its ability to thrive across a diverse array of environmental niches, including forests, mountain regions, riverbanks, sandy areas, and shrubberies. This species exhibits a broad altitudinal distribution, occupying environments ranging from lower elevations of 700 m AMSL to significant heights of up to 4800 m AMSL. The plant maintains a mean elevation of approximately 2502.5 m AMSL, reflecting its adaptability to varying montane climates and soil compositions found within its varied habitats.

Elevational range max:

4800 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

2502.5 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

700 m AMSL

Habitat :

forest, mountains, rivers, sand, shrubberies

Life history

The life history of Clematis orientalis is characterized by its status as a perennial, ensuring its continued presence in the ecosystem through multiple growing seasons. In terms of its growth habit and ecological positioning, the plant is classified under the life form of a chamaephyte, a designation that reflects its structural strategy for survival and development within its habitat.

Life form :

chamaephyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Clematis orientalis is characterized by its growth as a woody herb that functions as an obligatory liana. This climbing plant is a non-parasitic, independent species that thrives in terrestrial environments, rather than aquatic or epiphytic habitats. As a vigorous climber, it utilizes its woody stems to ascend, reaching a significant plant height that typically ranges from a minimum of 2 meters to a maximum of 8 meters.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

liana

Climber :

obligatory

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

8 m

Plant height min:

2 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Clematis orientalis is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, a common metabolic strategy for temperate climbing plants that optimizes carbon fixation under moderate light and temperature conditions. The morphological expressions of its photosynthetic organs reveal significant variability in leaf dimensions, which play a crucial role in its gas exchange and light interception capabilities. The leaves exhibit a mean length of 2.875 cm, with individual specimens ranging from a minimum of 1.5 cm to a maximum of 4 cm. Complementing this longitudinal variation, the leaf width demonstrates a broad range, starting from a minimum of 0.2 cm and reaching a maximum of 1.5 cm, with an average width maintained at 0.8 cm. These leaf dimensions contribute to the overall surface area available for transpiration and nutrient assimilation, supporting the plant's vigorous growth habits.

Leaf length max:

4 cm

Leaf length mean:

2.875 cm

Leaf length min:

1.5 cm

Leaf width max:

1.5 cm

Leaf width mean:

0.8 cm

Leaf width min:

0.2 cm

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Clematis orientalis is characterized by its bisexual sexual reproduction method, facilitating pollination through its integrated reproductive structures. The flowering period typically commences in July and concludes in August, though the timing can be variable. Following successful fertilization, the plant produces fruits that exhibit significant morphological diversity, with a mean fruit length of 2.65 cm, ranging from a minimum of 0.2 cm to a maximum of 5 cm. The seeds produced during this cycle are remarkably fine, possessing a mean mass of 0.001125 g, with individual seed weights fluctuating between a minimum of 0.0008 g (8e-04 g) and a maximum of 0.0017 g.

Flowering time :

Jul

Flowering time :

Aug

Fruit length max:

5 cm

Fruit length mean:

2.65 cm

Fruit length min:

0.2 cm

Reproduction sexual :

bisexual

Seed mass max:

0.0017 g

Seed mass mean:

0.001125 g

Seed mass min:

8e-04 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Clematis orientalis has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include resorcinol.

resorcinol

1. Natural product research

Preparations

Clematis orientalis has 5 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include Butanol, Chloroform, Ethyl Acetate, Hexane, Water.

Butanol

1. Natural product research

Chloroform

1. Natural product research

Ethyl acetate

1. Natural product research

Hexane

1. Natural product research

Water

1. Natural product research