English: Dutchman's pipe; Pipevine.
Synonym: Aristolochia durior.
Region: eastern N. America, Ontaria to Pennsylvania, New Jersey, south to Tennessee, Georgia, South Carolina.
Habitat: moist, rich woodlands; forests, dissected upland; rugged, rocky slopes; elevations of 50 to 1300 metres; hardy to at least -10°C; prefers well-drained loamy, alkaline soil, rich in organic matter, in sun or semi-shade; very intolerant to dry soils.
Content: aristolochic acid.
Ecology: larval host for the pipevine swallowtail, Battus philenor.
Use: ornamental, provides extensive covers for pillars, sun porches, fences, walls; medicinal.
BotanyHerb; perennial; deciduous; climbing; 7 m tall; fast-growing.
Stem: more or less woody; up to 20 metres, scramble over the ground, twining into surrounding vegetation for support.
Leaves: large; heart-shaped; 15 to 30 cm; dark green
Flowers: 5 cm; yellowish-green; sprouts from the calyx mouth, 3 brownish-purple lobes; hidden by the thick vegetation of the pipevine; flowers between June and August; fragrant, attract small flies and gnats.
Pollination: by small flies.
Fruit: resembles a cucumber; 6 to 10 cm in height, 3 cm in diameter; brown when mature; splits into six fragments.
Seeds: small, triangular.