Clematis viridiflora

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]

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[1]
Clematis zanzebarica Sweet Clematis zanzibarensis Bojer ex G.Don Clematis stolzii Engl.

Description

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

Unusually for an African clematis, it is a coastal species, often growing on dunes.^[5]

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.^[7]