TREATMENT FROM THE JEPSON MANUAL (1993) previous taxon | next taxon
Jepson Interchange (more information)
©Copyright 1993 by the Regents of the University of California
For up-to-date information about California vascular plants, visit the Jepson eFlora.

    THIS PAGE IS NO LONGER UPDATED
    AND IS MAINTAINED FOR ARCHIVAL PURPOSES ONLY
  • Up-to-date information about California vascular plants is available from the Jepson eFlora.

ARISTOLOCHIACEAE

PIPEVINE FAMILY

Michael R. Mesler and Karen Lu

Perennial from rhizome, woody vine, shrub, aromatic
Stem branched, sometimes nearly all underground
Leaves simple, basal, cauline, or arising singly from rhizome, alternate; blade generally cordate, entire
Inflorescence: flower generally solitary, axillary or terminal
Flower bisexual, radial or bilateral; sepals 3, free or fused; petals generally 0; stamens generally 6 or 12, free or fused to style; pistil generally 1, ovary generally inferior or partly so, chambers generally 6
Fruit: generally capsule
Seeds many
Genera in family: 10 genera, 600 species: mainly tropical, warm temp; some cultivated (Aristolochia , Asarum )
Reference: [Gregory 1956 Amer J Bot 43:110–122]

ARISTOLOCHIA

PIPEVINE, BIRTHWORT

Perennial, woody vine
Stem generally climbing
Leaves cauline
Inflorescence: flower axillary
Flower bilateral, often foul smelling; sepals fused into a generally curved tube, deciduous, lobes 1–3; stamens 6, fused to style
Fruit: capsule
Seed flat
Species in genus: 500 species: generally tropical, warm temp
Etymology: (Greek: best birth, from use as medication in childbirth)

Native

A. californica Torr.

Plant soft-hairy
Stem < 5 m, twining
Leaves deciduous; blade 3–15 cm, ovate-cordate to sagittate
Flower: fragrance metallic; calyx tube 2–4 cm, U-shaped, ± green or light brown, lined with a pink to red pad of thickened tissue, veins purple, lobes 3
Fruit: winged capsule
Chromosomes: 2n=28
Ecology: Streamsides, forest, chaparral
Elevation: < 700 m.
Bioregional distribution: North Coast Ranges, Cascade Range Foothills, n&c Sierra Nevada Foothills, Sacramento Valley, San Francisco Bay Area, n Outer South Coast Ranges.Pollinated by fungus gnats
Horticultural information: 5, 6, 15, 16, 17; SHD: 14 &IRR: 7, 8, 9, 10, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24.

previous taxon | next taxon
bioregional map for ARISTOLOCHIA%20californica being generated
 


Retrieve Jepson Interchange Index to Plant Names entry for Aristolochia californica
Retrieve dichotomous key for Aristolochia
Return to treatment index page
Glossary
University & Jepson Herbaria Home Page | Copyright © by the Regents of the University of California