Aristolochia elegans (Dutchman's Pipe)
Posted: October 26th, 2013, 9:42 pm
| Botanical Name | Aristolochia elegans |
| Family | Aristolochiaceae |
| Genus | Aristolochia |
| Specie | elegans |
| Common Name | Elegant Dutchman's Pipe, Calico Flower, Pelican Flower |
| Life Cycle | Tropicals and Tender Perennials |
| Fragrant or Not | smells like bad meat |
| Category(Bush/Vine/Tree) | Vines and Climbers |
| Height | 6-15 ft |
| Spacing | 36-48 in. |
| Flowering Months | spring-fall |
| Flower Color | mottled red and white pattern |
| Growing Areas | all hot areas of Pakistan |
| Frost Tender | yes if matured |
| Exposure | Light Shade |
| Soil pH | neutral |
| Propagation | by seeds |
| Uses | ornamental vine |
| Other Details | Aristolochia littoralis or calico flower is a cultivated ornamental vine. Native to Brazil, calico flower is grown for its colorful and unique pipe-shaped flowers. Herbal preparations have been used for various ailments and to ease the pain of childbirth, however these plants are highly toxic. Herbal supplements containing aristolochic acid or other compounds associated with members of this genus should be avoided. If you are ever close enough to smell the flowers of this plant, resist the temptation. Flowers of this plant produce an odor similar to that of rotting meat. The odor attracts flies to the flower where they pollinate the flower and lay their eggs.Calico flower is an evergreen, climbing vine that can grow from 10 to 15 feet in length. Leaf blades are broadly cordate, 3 to 4 inches long and 2 to 4 inches wide. Flowers are very unusual, usually greenish yellow and dark blackish purple with a tubular shape and flared at the mouth. Borne solitary in leaf axils, the flowers can be found among the foliage and reach nearly 3 inches long. Slender woody stems twine in tight coils around fence wire, other supports, or even other plants. members comments about this plant. (mr Arbab's comments) Its very vigorous climber can grow by more than 10 feet in the first year, in winters its growth almost stops, protect ur seedlings frm frost otherwise they will not thrive. (M Farooq's comments) Why does this vine hide its flowers? They are not ugly enough to be ashamed of. I think this has something to do with pollination mechanism to hide the flowers from sunlight and serve as fly traps. The newly blossomed flowers are said to trap flies for the whole day and release them when the anther... (dr AYKHAN's comments) Very nice. I agree most Aristolochia flowers are ugly BUT I MUST say they ARE unique. I am trying out two vines the A. grandiflora and A. gigantea. They are quite vigorous and currently going wild! It's right. I saw in some program that flies enter the flower and it closes behind them. The fly has to travel all the way inside and once it pollinates the other end opens up to let the fly out! If this is not reason enough to have atleast one of these vines then what is??? |
