Scientific Name :Clematis simensis Vernacular Name :Umunkamba Family name :Ranunculaceae Geographic Distribution :Mountain forest, sclerophillous forest on lava, clearing Thicket,1400- 1900 m.
Botanical Description A strong vine climberof 20 m long or more. Climbing with the petioles, densely hairy, later glabrescent, Pubescent to glabrous young branches. The stems and the branches are longitudinally striate. Imparipinnate leaves up t 15 cm long with usually 2 pairs of opposite folioles, ovate to ovate- lanceolate, acute to acuminate at apex, cordate or rounded at base, margin dentate-crenate, upper surface glabrescent, lower surface with pale hairs. Inflorescence axillary, many-flowered. Flowers cream or white, often tinged with purple , tepals 4,0.7-1.6 cm long pubescent. Fruits with numerous small nuts, style hairy.
Medicinal Use Leaves are chewed and the juice swallowed as a cure for headaches and colds. A decoction of the roots is drunk for the treatment of malaria, but it is also causes diarrhea and acts as purgative.
