A revision of Clematis sect. Aspidanthera s.l. (Ranunculaceae)

In this paper Clematis sect. Aspidanthera s.l. is revised. Seventy_ two species and 15 varieties are recognized. They are keyed, described, and in most cases illustrated, and are classified into six subsections. Of them, on e series, five species, and two varieties are described as new, and two new rank s are proposed. Brief taxonomic history and geographical distribution of the sec tion are given, the evolutionary trends of several important morphological characters observed are e numerated, and the relationships of its subsections are discussed. As a resul t, subsect. Dioicae, which shows striking resemblance in both habit an d floral structure to sect. Clematis subsect. Clematis, is regar ded as t he primitive group, while subsect. Insidiosae, bearing pistillate flower wit h erect sepals and no staminodes, is regarded as the advanced group within the s ection.