Clematis orientalis is a deciduous vine or scrambling shrub in the buttercup family Ranunculaceae, that originates from Asia and Central Europe.

[1] The name of the genus Clematis is a derivation of the Ancient Greek word "clématis", which means "climbing".

Clematis orientalis is a deciduous scrambling shrub that grows to attach to its environment by means of tendril-like stems.

[1] The vines twine to rocks, other plants, and other things in its environment as it climbs.

Most noticeable about the flower is the four yellow to yellow-orange sepals, which are often mistaken for its petals.

The sepals are ovate-lanceolate to elliptic, wide-spreading and tend to curl back at its maturity.

The style is 3–10 cm long and remains attached to the achene, acting as its wings.

[4] It has a preference for sunny habitats but has shown a tolerance for partially shaded areas.

In the United States, it is found in shrublands, riverbanks, gullies, sand depressions, riparian forests in hot, dry valleys and desert and semidesert areas.