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Elegant Dutchman's Pipe

Aristolochia elegans Mast.

Derivation of specific name

provided by Flora of Zimbabwe
littoralis: of the seashore
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Mark Hyde, Bart Wursten and Petra Ballings
bibliographic citation
Hyde, M.A., Wursten, B.T. and Ballings, P. (2002-2014). Aristolochia littoralis Parodi Flora of Zimbabwe website. Accessed 28 August 2014 at http://www.zimbabweflora.co.zw/speciesdata/species.php?species_id=121640
author
Mark Hyde
author
Bart Wursten
author
Petra Ballings
original
visit source
partner site
Flora of Zimbabwe

Description

provided by Flora of Zimbabwe
Glabrous perennial climber, woody at the base. Leaves spade to kidney-shaped, green above, pale greyish below. Flowers solitary, axillary. Perianth heart-shaped, maroon with white markings; tubular throat twisted and inflated. Fruit a pendent, 6-ribbed, sausage-shaped capsule, brown when ripe, splitting while remaining on the plant, forming a "hanging basket". The plants are poisonous.
license
cc-by-nc
copyright
Mark Hyde, Bart Wursten and Petra Ballings
bibliographic citation
Hyde, M.A., Wursten, B.T. and Ballings, P. (2002-2014). Aristolochia littoralis Parodi Flora of Zimbabwe website. Accessed 28 August 2014 at http://www.zimbabweflora.co.zw/speciesdata/species.php?species_id=121640
author
Mark Hyde
author
Bart Wursten
author
Petra Ballings
original
visit source
partner site
Flora of Zimbabwe

Frequency

provided by Flora of Zimbabwe
Local
license
cc-by-nc
copyright
Mark Hyde, Bart Wursten and Petra Ballings
bibliographic citation
Hyde, M.A., Wursten, B.T. and Ballings, P. (2002-2014). Aristolochia littoralis Parodi Flora of Zimbabwe website. Accessed 28 August 2014 at http://www.zimbabweflora.co.zw/speciesdata/species.php?species_id=121640
author
Mark Hyde
author
Bart Wursten
author
Petra Ballings
original
visit source
partner site
Flora of Zimbabwe

Worldwide distribution

provided by Flora of Zimbabwe
Native to tropical South America
license
cc-by-nc
copyright
Mark Hyde, Bart Wursten and Petra Ballings
bibliographic citation
Hyde, M.A., Wursten, B.T. and Ballings, P. (2002-2014). Aristolochia littoralis Parodi Flora of Zimbabwe website. Accessed 28 August 2014 at http://www.zimbabweflora.co.zw/speciesdata/species.php?species_id=121640
author
Mark Hyde
author
Bart Wursten
author
Petra Ballings
original
visit source
partner site
Flora of Zimbabwe

Aristolochia littoralis

provided by wikipedia EN

Aristolochia littoralis - MHNT

Aristolochia littoralis, the calico flower or مورپنکھ بیل or elegant Dutchman's pipe, is a species of evergreen vine belonging to the family Aristolochiaceae.

Etymology

The scientific name Aristolochia was developed from Ancient Greek aristos (άριστος) "best" + locheia (λοχεία), "childbirth" or "childbed", as in ancient times the plant was thought to be effective against infections caused by childbirth. The species Latin name littoralis means “coastal”.

Description

Aristolochia littoralis is a climbing vine that can reach about 3–4.5 metres (9.8–14.8 ft) in length. The slender stems are woody and the leaves are bright green, cordate, amplexicaul, 7–9 centimetres (2.8–3.5 in) long and 5–10 centimetres (2.0–3.9 in) wide, forming a dense attractive foliage. Flowers are heart-shaped, greenish yellow with intricate purplish-brown markings. These unusual flowers are about 7–8 centimetres (2.8–3.1 in) long, grow solitary in the leaf axils and resemble Sherlock Holmes's pipe (hence the common name of "Dutchman's pipe"). The inner surface of the flared mouth is completely purplish-brown. The flowering period extends through all summer. These plants are pollinated by flies which are attracted by the unpleasant carrion-like odor produced by the flowers. The numerous winged seeds are borne in dry dehiscent capsules that split like small parachutes. As the seeds are winged they are easily dispersed by wind. Plants in the related genus Pararistolochia differ by having fleshy moist fruit that do not split. This plant contains aristolochic acid, a toxic alkaloid.

Distribution

The vining plant is native to southern and western South America. It is found in:

  • Brazil in Ceara, Mato Grosso, Mato Grosso do Sul, Minas Gerais, Parana, Rio de Janeiro, Rondonia, Santa Catarina, and São Paulo states.
  • Argentina in Corrientes, Entre Rios, Jujuy, Misiones, and Santa Fe Provinces.
  • Paraguay in Amambay, Central, Concepcion, Cordillera, Paraguari, and San Pedro Departments.
  • Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru.

It is an invasive species in Australia and in the southern United States. In Australia it is fatal to the caterpillars of two butterflies, the Cairns birdwing (Ornithoptera euphorion) and of the threatened Richmond birdwing (O. richmondia), and threatens to displace their proper host plant, A. tagala.

Habitat

Aristolochia littoralis prefers acid-neutral soils (pH 5.5 – 7.0) and average moisture, in part sun to shade, at an elevation of about 0–1,150 metres (0–3,773 ft)

Cultivation

This subtropical plant requires a minimum temperature of 7 °C, and in temperate regions is grown under glass. It has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.[4]

Gallery

References

  1. ^ Mast. Gard. Chron., n.s. 24(610): 301, t. 64 1885
  2. ^ F. González Fl. Colombia 12: 90 1990
  3. ^ Hassl. Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. 11: 177 1912
  4. ^ "RHS Plant Selector Aristolochia littoralis AGM / RHS Gardening". Apps.rhs.org.uk. Retrieved 2012-08-29.

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Wikipedia authors and editors
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wikipedia EN

Aristolochia littoralis: Brief Summary

provided by wikipedia EN
Aristolochia littoralis - MHNT

Aristolochia littoralis, the calico flower or مورپنکھ بیل or elegant Dutchman's pipe, is a species of evergreen vine belonging to the family Aristolochiaceae.

license
cc-by-sa-3.0
copyright
Wikipedia authors and editors
original
visit source
partner site
wikipedia EN