Classification
Class
Magnoliopsida Brongn.
Order
Ranunculales Juss. ex Bercht. & J.Presl
Family
Ranunculaceae
Genus
Clematis L.
 Nomenclature
Scientific Name:
Clematis afoliata Buchanan, Trans. & Proc. Roy. Soc. New Zealand 3: 211 (1870 [1871])
Synonymy:
  • = Clematis aphylla Colenso, Trans. & Proc. New Zealand Inst. 19: 259 (1886 [1887])
Vernacular Name(s):
leafless clematis
 Description

Evergreen woody climber, often forming tangled mounds of leafless stems over rocks and shrubs. Lvs reduced to petioles and petiolules, twining, glabrous, (3)–5–8–(10) cm long; leaflets 0 except in shaded and young plants, small, entire, ovate, acute. Fls unisexual, solitary or 2–3 clustered in lf axils. Bracts paired, united, pilose, inserted about middle of peduncle. ♂ fls: sepals 4–(5), imbricate, greenish yellow, hairy at least beneath, ovate-lanceolate, (10)–15–25–(35) × 5–10 mm; anthers 2–4 mm long; filaments glabrous. ♀ fls: sepals similar to ♂, 8–15 × 3–7 mm; staminodes few. Achenes reddish brown, hairy, 2–4 mm long. Style 1.5–2–(3) cm long at fruiting.

[From: Webb et al. (1988) Flora of New Zealand. Volume 4.]

 Biostatus
Indigenous (Endemic)
 Phenology

Flowering: Aug.–Nov.; Fruiting: Nov.–Jan.

 Bibliography
Colenso, W. 1887: A description of some newly-discovered and rare indigenous phænogamic plants, being a further contribution towards making known the Botany of New Zealand. Transactions and Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute 19: 259–271.
Buchanan, J. 1871 ("1870"): On some New Species and Varieties of New Zealand Plants. Transactions and Proceedings of the Royal Society of New Zealand 3: 208–212.
de Lange, P.J.; Rolfe, J.R.; Barkla J.W.; Courtney, S.P.; Champion, P.D.; Perrie, L.R.; Beadel, S.N.; Ford, K.A.; Breitwieser, I.; Schönberger, I.; Hindmarsh-Walls, R.; Heenan, P.B.; Ladley, K. 2018: Conservation status of New Zealand indigenous vascular plants, 2017. New Zealand Threat Classification Series. No. 22. [Not Threatened]
de Lange, P.J.; Rolfe, J.R.; Champion, P.D.; Courtney, S.P.; Heenan, P.B.; Barkla, J.W.; Cameron, E.K.; Norton, D.A.; Hitchmough, R.A. 2013: Conservation status of New Zealand indigenous vascular plants, 2012. New Zealand Threat Classification Series 3. Department of Conservation, Wellington. [Not Threatened]