golden clematis

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• golden clematis
• golden virgin's-bower
• orange-peel clematis
• Oriental Clematis
• Yellow Clematis

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Clematis orientalis var. tangutica

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, Clematis tangutica, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. It is classified under the class Equisetopsida and the subclass Magnoliidae within the order Ranunculales. Finally, it is a member of the family Ranunculaceae and falls under the genus Clematis.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a varied distribution across several regions of the European continent. In Northern Europe, its presence can be documented in both Great Britain and Sweden. Moving toward Middle Europe, the species is found within the territories of Germany and Switzerland. Furthermore, its range extends through the central region encompassing Czechia and Slovakia. Together, these locations illustrate the specific geographical spread of Clematis tangutica across these diverse nations.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Clematis tangutica is characterized by its preference for specific altitudinal zones and varied terrain. It is typically found in lowland habitats, though it occupies a significant vertical range within montane or alpine environments. The species thrives at elevations ranging from a minimum of 2,700 m AMSL to a maximum of 4,100 m AMSL, with a mean elevational distribution centered around 3,350 m AMSL.

Elevational range max:

4100 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

3350 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

2700 m AMSL

Habitat :

Lowland

Life history

The life history of Clematis tangutica is characterized by its nature as a perennial plant, ensuring its survival through multiple growing seasons. As a phanerophyte, it possesses significant above-ground woody structures that allow it to reach substantial heights, though it can also exhibit characteristics consistent with a nanophanerophyte depending on its specific growth stage and environmental positioning. The plant follows a deciduous pattern, shedding its foliage annually in response to seasonal changes, which dictates its rhythmic cycle of growth, flowering, and dormancy.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Life form :

nanophanerophyte

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Clematis tangutica is characterized by its growth as a woody, climbing vine, specifically functioning as an obligatory climber. As a terrestrial herb and forb, it exhibits a climbing habit classified as a liana or vine, which allows it to ascend through surrounding vegetation. The plant is an independent organism, meaning it does not function as a parasite or an epiphyte. In terms of stature, it displays significant vertical development, with a plant height ranging from a minimum of 1 meter to a maximum of 4 meters, maintaining an average height of approximately 2.5 meters.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

vine

Climber :

obligatory

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

4 m

Plant height mean:

2.5 m

Plant height min:

1 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Clematis tangutica is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and metabolic efficiency in its natural environment. The plant's vegetative morphology, particularly its leaf structure, plays a critical role in its physiological performance and light interception. The foliage exhibits significant variability in dimensions, with leaf lengths ranging from a minimum of 3 cm to a mean of 3.5 cm, reaching a maximum of 12 cm. Complementing this, the leaf width varies from a minimum of 0.5 cm to a maximum of 1.5 cm, maintaining an average width of 1 cm. These morphological parameters influence the surface-area-to-volume ratio, affecting the plant's transpiration rates and gas exchange capabilities within its C3 metabolic framework.

Leaf length max:

12 cm

Leaf length mean:

3.5 cm

Leaf length min:

3 cm

Leaf width max:

1.5 cm

Leaf width mean:

1 cm

Leaf width min:

0.5 cm

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Clematis tangutica is characterized by its bisexual nature, facilitating sexual reproduction through flowers that contain both male and female reproductive organs. The flowering period typically commences in July and concludes in August. During this stage, the plant produces inflorescences that vary in length, ranging from a minimum of 0.06 m to a maximum of 0.15 m. Following successful pollination, the plant develops fruits that exhibit a consistent length of 0.4 cm, with the minimum, mean, and maximum measurements all recorded at this value. The resulting seeds are relatively small, possessing a mean seed mass of 0.2169 g.

Flowering time :

Jul

Flowering time :

Aug

Fruit length max:

0.4 cm

Inflorescence length max:

0.15 m

Inflorescence length min:

0.06 m

Reproduction sexual :

bisexual

Seed mass mean:

0.2169 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Clematis tangutica has 9 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Ciwujianoside A, Flavonoids, Saponin PE, Saponin PJ3, Saponin PK.

Ciwujianoside A

1. Planta medica

Flavonoids

1. Ecology and evolution

Saponin PE

1. Planta medica

Saponin PJ3

1. Planta medica

Saponin PK

1. Planta medica

Terpenoids

1. Ecology and evolution

Vitalboside B

1. Planta medica

alpha-Hederin

1. Planta medica

beta-Hederin

1. Planta medica