Abstract: Abstract: Species of Clematis(Ranunculaceae)are usually climbing vines and require moist conditions. However, Clematis Sect. Fruticella contains a group of xerophilous species with erect shrubby habit. Plants of Sect. Fruticella often occur in dry or even desert areas of northern, western and southwestern China. In taxonomy, there have been controversies regarding the delimitation of this group. All the authors defined the group only using a single trait of upright shrub habit previously. However, recent taxonomic revision believed that the trait of upright shrub should be combined with floral features(white or yellow flower)to define a more natural group. In addition, this group of shrubby Clematis shows an interesting geographical distribution patterns in drought areas across China. Four species with yellow flowers(Clematis fruticosa, C. nannophylla, C. tomentella, C. canescens)distribute in the arid Gobi area in northern China. The other one with yellow flower, C. viridis, occurs in the eastern part of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau and is separated from the former four species. Other shrubby Clematis with white flowers distribute in Xinjiang Autonomous Region and dry valley of the Hengduan Mountains. In this paper, study advances in taxonomy and phylogeny, origin of the shrub habit, physiological responses of drought resistance, characteristics of the floral organ, and introduction and horticultural cultivation of Sect. Fruticella are reviewed. The remaining scientific questions are discussed, and suggestions for future studies are proposed.