Is Clematis the Same as Clematis chinensis? A Detailed Explanation of the Differences in Their Medicinal Value

People have lookalikes, and things have lookalikes; even the endlessly varied flowers include lookalike blooms, and among the ones many people find hardest to tell apart are Clematis and Clematis chinensis, simply because these two plants are quite similar in both flower shape and bearing. So unless you are a professional gardener, you cannot judge and identify them from the subtle details. Below, we will explore in depth exactly what differences they have.

Judging by their names, Clematis and Clematis chinensis do have some similarities, but in fact they are not the same plant. First, Clematis: it belongs to the buttercup family (Ranunculaceae) and is a perennial herbaceous plant or vine, with a flowering period mostly from April to June, and an axillary inflorescence bearing only 1 flower. Clematis chinensis, on the other hand, belongs to the figwort family (Scrophulariaceae) and is a herbaceous plant with a flowering period from June to September; it produces many flowers, mostly axillary or terminal on the flowering branches.

So when you see Clematis and Clematis chinensis side by side at a flower market, how can you tell them apart as quickly as possible? First, you can distinguish them by form: Clematis has relatively slender branches and stems that feel flexible to the touch, and its flowers come in trumpet-shaped or bell-shaped forms. Clematis chinensis is more substantial in form, with stems that are either upright or climbing, and its flowers are smaller and daintier, with more blooms than Clematis. Then, from scent and taste: after blooming, Clematis has a faint fragrance, while Clematis chinensis has no obvious odor. Next, look at the leaves: Clematis leaflets are narrowly ovate to lanceolate, and the leaves bear visible down. Clematis chinensis leaflets are ovate or linear-lanceolate or ovate-round, and both sides of the leaves are smooth and hairless. Finally, from a medicinal standpoint, traditional Chinese medicine holds that Clematis clears heat and detoxifies and reduces swelling and relieves pain, while Clematis chinensis is mainly used to dispel wind-dampness and invigorate blood and dissolve stasis. These are the main differences between Clematis and Clematis chinensis in daily life.

In addition, Clematis and Clematis chinensis also differ in their flower meanings: the former's flower meaning usually represents elegance, resilience and love, so it is given to spouses or couples. The flower meaning of Clematis chinensis, however, is rich in mystery and bravery, symbolizing courage and steadfastness in the face of difficulty, and it is mostly given to friends who have suffered a setback in starting a business.