SafePlants

Aristolochia: The Intriguing Dutchman's Pipe

The genus Aristolochia comprises a large group of plants with over 500 species. Several common names are associated with this genus, including Dutchman's Pipe and Pipevine. Plants of the genus Aristolochia are sometimes referred to as birthwort.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

• Kingdom: [Not specified in the text, but implied as Plantae]
• Order: Aristolochiales
• Family: Aristolochiaceae (birthwort family)
• Genus: Aristolochia
• Species Examples:
  • Aristolochia bilobata (Two-lobe Dutchman's-pipe)
  • Aristolochia californica (California Dutchman's Pipe, Isotrema californica)
  • Aristolochia cathcartii
  • Aristolochia gorgona
  • Aristolochia littorals
  • Aristolochia macrophylla (Dutchman's Pipe, Pipe Vine)
  • Aristolochia oblongata
  • Aristolochia reticulata (Texas Dutchman's-pipe)
  • Aristolochia ringens (Gaping Dutchman's Pipe)
  • Aristolochia sempervirens (Evergreen Dutchman's Pipe)

Morphological Characteristics

• Aristolochia species are described as low herbs or twining vines.
• Leaves:
  • Generally heart-shaped (cordate), fiddle-shaped, ovate, ovate-sagittate, or cordate-triangular.
  • Some species have leaves with three well-defined lobes.
  • Leaf blade edges are described as lacking teeth or lobes.
  • Leaf blades of one species are 2-5 inches long and 1-2 inches across.
  • Leaves are alternate and simple, attached to the stem by a 2-5.5 cm long petiole.
• Flowers:
  • The flowers are noted for their unusual shape, often resembling Dutch smoking pipes.
  • Typically tubular, long, and curved.
  • The perianth tube ends in a tongue-shaped, brightly colored lobe.
  • Some species have green flowers with purple lobes and yellow highlights.
  • The calyx mouth may form three brownish-purple lobes.
  • Aristolochia ringens has two-lobed flowers.
  • Some species have flowers with 3 to 9 lobes.
  • Flowers may emit a foul odor reminiscent of rotting flesh.
• Buds: Winter buds have two scales with edges that meet.
• Fruit: Some species produce large oval fruits.

Distribution and Habitat

• Two hardy species of Aristolochia are found in Sweden.
• Aristolochia californica is native to California.
• Aristolochia gorgona is found in the Atlantic.
• Aristolochia sempervirens was photographed on the Mani peninsula in Greece.
• The text also implies that the vines are commonly cultivated in gardens.

Ecological Role

• Aristolochia species serve as host plants for certain butterflies, such as the Pipevine Swallowtail (Battus philenor).
• The tubular flowers attract flies through a carrion-like scent.