Clematis viridiflora
| Clematis viridiflora | |
|---|---|
| |
| Herbarium specimen of C. viridiflora | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Order: | Ranunculales |
| Family: | Ranunculaceae |
| Genus: | Clematis |
| Species: | C. viridiflora
|
| Binomial name | |
| Clematis viridiflora | |
| Synonyms[1] | |
Clematis viridiflora (common name, Kwassakwassa)[2] is a perennial, climbing shrub in the family Ranunulaceae. The native range of the species is Kenya to Namibia.[1] Its specific epithet, viridiflora, means "green-flowered."[3]
Description
[edit]Clematis viridiflora is a species of tall, climbing shrub. Young stems are pubescent but become glabrous, and are longitudinally ribbed and furrowed.[4] Leaves are opposite, five or more foliolate, with leaflets broadly ovate, irregularly lobed and toothed. Flowers range in colour from pale green to yellowish-green. Sepals are thin and membranous.[5] Fruit is an achene.[6]
Habitat
[edit]Unusually for an African clematis, it is a coastal species, often growing on dunes.[5]
Medicinal usage
[edit]Clematis viridiflora is used as a traditional medicinal plant in Mozambique, where the roots and leaves are used as an inhalation to treat headaches.[7]
References
[edit]- ^ a b "Clematis viridiflora Bertol". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 16 August 2024.
- ^ "Plants Database". National Gardening Association Plants Database. 16 August 2024.
- ^ "Flora of Malawi: Species information: Clematis viridiflora". www.malawiflora.com. Retrieved 16 August 2024.
- ^ "Plants of the World". 17 August 2024.
- ^ a b Essig, Frederick (17 August 2024). "A Primary Analysis of Clematis in Africa" (PDF). Institute for Systemic Botany: 2.
- ^ "Clematis viridiflora Bert. – Encyclopedia of Life". www.eol.org. Retrieved 16 August 2024.
- ^ "Clematis viridiflora Bertol., Ranunculaceae, Prelude". Société Française d'Ethnopharmacologie (in French). Retrieved 17 August 2024.