Ceylon Clematis

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Ceylon Clematis

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Naravelia lobata
• Naravelia zeylanica
• Naravelia zeylanica var. roxburghii
• Atragene zeylanica
• Atragene lobata

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, Clematis zeylanica, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is classified under the order Ranunculales and the family Ranunculaceae. Ultimately, its taxonomic placement is defined by the genus Clematis.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a wide geographical distribution spanning across several key regions in Asia. In China, it can be specifically located within the South-Central territories. Its presence is also significant throughout the Indian Subcontinent, where it is found in India and Bangladesh. Furthermore, the species thrives in the specialized environments of Assam and the East Himalaya. Together, these locations highlight the diverse ecological range of Clematis zeylanica.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Clematis zeylanica is characterized by a specific altitudinal distribution within its natural habitat, spanning a diverse vertical gradient. This species typically inhabits environments ranging from a minimum elevation of 270 m AMSL to a maximum elevation of 1000 m AMSL. Throughout its ecological range, the plant maintains a mean elevation of approximately 1000 m AMSL, indicating a preference for mid-to-high altitude zones within its ecosystem. This elevational positioning influences the specific climatic conditions, such as temperature fluctuations and moisture availability, to which the plant must adapt to thrive.

Elevational range max:

1000 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

270 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Clematis zeylanica is characterized by its classification as a perennial, allowing the plant to persist through multiple growing seasons. As a climbing woody vine, it establishes a long-term presence in its habitat, utilizing its growth habit to ascend through surrounding vegetation to access sunlight. Throughout its life cycle, the plant undergoes seasonal phases of vegetative growth and flowering, eventually producing seeds that facilitate the propagation of new individuals. This perennial nature ensures that the plant can endure environmental fluctuations, maintaining its structural integrity and reproductive capacity over an extended duration.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Clematis zeylanica is characterized by its growth form as a woody shrub that functions as an obligatory climber, utilizing surrounding structures for support rather than being self-supporting. Although it can exist in various environments, its ecological positioning is primarily terrestrial rather than aquatic or epiphytic. The plant is biologically independent, functioning as a non-parasitic organism that does not rely on a host for nutrients. Its structural development is defined by woody stems that facilitate its climbing habit, allowing it to navigate through its terrestrial habitat.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

obligatory

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

woody

Reproduction

The reproduction of Clematis zeylanica is characterized by the development of specialized fruit structures that facilitate seed dispersal. The fruit is remarkably consistent in its physical dimensions, exhibiting a highly uniform morphology across different specimens. Specifically, the fruit length maintains a strict measurement of 0.4 cm, with the minimum, mean, and maximum values all recorded at exactly 0.4 cm. This lack of variance in fruit length suggests a highly standardized developmental process during the maturation of the reproductive organs, ensuring that each fruit reaches a precise size of 0.4 cm before dispersal.

Fruit length max:

0.4 cm

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Clematis zeylanica has 3 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 3,4-methylenedioxybenzamide, 4-Hydroxy-3-methoxybenzamide, 4-Methoxybenzamide.

3,4-methylenedioxybenzamide

1. Natural product research

4-Hydroxy-3-methoxybenzamide

1. Natural product research

4-Methoxybenzamide

1. Natural product research

Preparations

Clematis zeylanica has 1 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include Extract.

Extract

1. Natural product research