Clematis brevipes (Ranunculaceae), an interesting and yet imperfectly known species from southern Gansu and northern Sichuan, China

Abstract

Clematis brevipes (Ranunculaceae), described from southern Gansu province, China, is an interesting and yet imperfectly understood species, with some of its important morphological characters, detailed geographical distribution and habitat information unknown or inconsistently recorded. Based on careful observations of both herbarium specimens (including type material) and living plants in the wild, here we determine the number of leaflets and color of flowers of this species and its geographical distribution. The habitat information is also given for this species for the first time. Furthermore, we discuss aspects of typification of C. brevipes and the affinity of the species with its close allies.