| 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 Bertol. | |
| Synonyms | |
Clematis viridiflora (common name, Kwassakwassa) is a perennial, climbing shrub in the family Ranunulaceae. The native range of the species is Kenya to Namibia. Its specific epithet, viridiflora, means "green-flowered."
Description
Clematis viridiflora is a species of tall, climbing shrub. Young stems are pubescent but become glabrous, and are longitudinally ribbed and furrowed. 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. Fruit is an achene.
Habitat
Unusually for an African clematis, it is a coastal species, often growing on dunes.
Medicinal usage
Clematis viridiflora is used as a traditional medicinal plant in Mozambique, where the roots and leaves are used as an inhalation to treat headaches.
References
- ^ "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.
- ^ 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.
| Taxon identifiers | |
|---|---|
| Clematis viridiflora | |