Aristolochiaceae
Birthwort Family
The Aristolochiaceae family (Birthwort Family) is a botanical family placed in the order Piperales. In the SASYA catalogue it spans 8 species across 2 genera. Members range from climbers to shrubs. Well-represented genera include Aristolochia and Thottea. Several members are valued in traditional medicine. Familiar examples include Bracteated Birthwort, Calico-Flower and Indian Birthwort.
Browse all 8 species ↓
Heart-shaped alternate leaves on twining climbers; flowers dispense with true petals altogether, instead forming a curved, often pungent-smelling calyx tube shaped like a pipe or trumpet that briefly traps small flies to ensure pollination before releasing them.
Every part of the plant contains aristolochic acid, toxic to human kidneys, even though several swallowtail butterfly caterpillars feed on it exclusively and sequester the toxin for their own defence.
Which Aristolochiaceae species is this?
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Typical leaf characters
Characters typical of the family — individual species can vary.
Notable members
All 8 species in ARISTOLOCHIACEAE
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