Clematis (PROSEA)

Plant Resources of South-East Asia Introduction

List of species

Clematis L.

Protologue: Sp. pl. 1: 543 (1753); Gen. pl. ed. 5: 242 (1754).

Family: Ranunculaceae

Chromosome number: x= 8;C. phanerophlebia: 2n= 16

Clematis comprises about 320 species, and has a worldwide distribution except for the polar regions; in Malesia 19 species occur.

The medicinal uses of South-East Asian Clematis are diverse although not on a large scale: pounded leaves are used to treat colds, coughs, wounds and as an anodyne and febrifuge, roots to treat lumbago and as an anodyne, and sap as a tonic. In New Guinea crushed leaves of a Clematis species of uncertain identity (incorrectly referred to as C. glycinoides ) are inhaled for colds; the juice of the green leaves is used to induce abortion, and the plant is reputedly poisonous to livestock. In the Admiralty Islands and the Northern Province, Papua New Guinea, crushed leaves of plants identified as the very rare C. clemensiae H. Eichler are sniffed to clear the nose. There is a single record of the use of C. leschenaultiana DC. as a remedy for abdominal pain in Java.

Clematis species of more temperate regions in Asia, e.g. in northern Vietnam and China, are more widely used and better known. They are used as an antimalarial, antirheumatic, analgesic, antidote, diuretic, laxative, and to relieve headaches. C. chinensis Osbeck is well known in traditional Chinese medicine. In Vietnam roasted roots, mixed with other drugs, are used as a diuretic, remedy for indigestion and emmenagogue. They are also reputedly used as a galactagogue. In Taiwan a root decoction is used to treat headache, fever and chills. In China it is applied as an analgesic, diuretic, antitumour, anti-inflammatory and insecticidal agent. In Vietnam a post-partum drink is prepared from the leaves of C. meyeniana Walpers. In Indo-China a root decoction of C. gouriana Roxb. ex DC. is used as a diaphoretic and diuretic. The fresh, crushed leaves are used as a rubefacient or vesicant, the compound responsible for the activity being volatile. In Taiwan the pounded leaves are applied to wounds and snakebites, and the leaves are employed as a febrifuge. In Chinese medicine, the root is used as a remedy for goitre, and the fruit as a tonic and stomachic. The aboveground parts are considered a drastic purgative, easily resulting in a toxic overdose. The stem is used as an anthelmintic in Nepal. In Africa coughing and migraine are cured by inhaling C. villosa DC. Crushed and dried leaves softened in warm water are used to treat rheumatism.

The stems of numerous species belonging to section Clematis (e.g. C. vitalba L. of temperate regions) are used as ropes. In Lombok stems of C. multistriata H. Eichler are used for binding. Clematis is planted worldwide as an ornamental.

Some Clematis species are rich in saponins (e.g. C. chinensis ), whereas others are void of these (e.g. C. smilacifolia ). Protoanemonin was isolated from several Clematis species. In a general screening using the disk diffusion method, methanol extracts of dried leaves and stem bark of C. papuasica showed a broad antimicrobial activity against gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria. An aqueous extract of C. chinensis , tested in various rat models showed hypotensive activity. It produced a hypotensive response mediated through histaminergic activity. Isolated preconstricted helical tail artery strips were relaxed, and the extract produced both negative chronotropic and inotropic effects on isolated atria. A crude extract of C. chinensis showed moderate hepatoprotective activity in CCl₄-induced hepatotoxicity in rats.

Lianas or climbers, or (outside Malesia) upright shrubs or herbs. Leaves opposite, occasionally alternate, mostly pinnately compound or ternate, sometimes simple; petiole, rachis and petiolules often twining; stipules absent. Inflorescence a 1-many-flowered cyme at the top of young stems or axillary, sometimes on older stems, arranged in raceme- or panicle-like synflorescences. Flowers bisexual or unisexual, regular; tepals 4-6, valvate; stamens many; carpels (3-)5-many, style persistent, usually hairy. Fruit consisting of sessile, often laterally compressed nutlets.

Confusion with respect to the proper identity of Malesian Clematis is considerable. The name C. glycinoides is often used for plants in New Guinea, but in most cases it refers to C. pickeringii , but often probably also to several other species of section Aspidanthera subsection Papuasicae . True C. glycinoides DC. is confined to northern Australia.

In Malesia Clematis is found from sea-level up to 3000 m altitude, most commonly encountered as lianas along rivers, at forest edges, and in relatively open primary and secondary forest, covering small trees, shrubs, rocks and walls.

Management In general Clematis can be easily propagated by seed, layering or cuttings.

Clematis species are commonly found in areas of regeneration, and are usually common and cannot be considered threatened. However, some species are restricted in their distribution; the Philippines, Sulawesi and New Guinea, for example, all have several endemics which may be threatened by continued habitat degradation.

Little is known about the pharmacological properties of Malesian Clematis . Further research is needed to support its traditional uses, for instance the widespread use as a sniff to clear the nose.

164, 344, 361, 438, 464, 731.

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J.L.C.H. van Valkenburg