Aristolochia macrophylla
Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Aristolochia durior
- Aristolochia grandifolia
- Aristolochia sipho
- Isotrema macrophylla
- Phonetic Spelling
- ah-ris-toh-LOH-kee-ah mak-roh-FYE-lah
- This plant has high severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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Dutchman's Pipe is a deciduous, woody, climbing vine in the Birthwort family. It is native to southeastern Canada and the eastern United States. It is typically found in the wild, in moist woods, or near streams. Other common names for this vine are Pipevine, Broad-Leaved Birthwort, and Wild Ginger.
The genus name, Aristolochia, is the combination of two words. The Greek word, aristos, translated means "best." The Greek word, locheia, translated means "childbirth." This references the flower's structure resembling a human fetus. The species name, macrophylla, is Latin and means "large leaves." The Dutchman's Pipe leaves are up to 12 inches long and heart-shaped. The common name, Dutchman's Pipe, is derived from the flower's appearance, which resembles the Meerschaum smoking pipes once used in Europe.
This native vine prefers rich, moist, and well-drained soil. It is intolerant of dry soil and needs protection from strong winds. The plant prefers full sun to partial shade. It may be pruned in the late winter to control its growth. Seeds and cuttings are used to propagate this vine.
The flowers are usually inconspicuous because they are hidden or lost in the vine's dense foliage. The small blossoms are yellow-greenish with brownish-purple lobes in the shape of a smoking pipe. The leaves are smooth, heart-shaped, deep green, and silver-colored underneath. The fruits are green capsules that turn gray to black when they mature.
The overlapping and dense cloak of leaves can form a beautiful screen for a garden or porch wall.
The Dutchman's Pipe is the main larval food source for the Pipevine Swallowtail Butterfly. The caterpillars can devour all the leaves, but the defoliated vine will recover. The caterpillars do no lasting harm. The flowers emit an odor that attracts flies, which are the pollinators. The vine is moderately resistant to deer.
Caution: The plants of this genus contain a toxin known as aristolochic acid. Ingestion of any part of this plant may cause irreversible kidney failure. The Pipevine Swallowtail Butterfly is immune to this poison in this particular species.
Fire Risk: This plant has an extreme flammability rating and should not be planted within the defensible space of your home. Select plants with a low flammability rating for the sites nearest your home.
Similar plants: Aristolochia tomentosa (Wooly Dutchman's Pipe) has hairy stems and foliage. Aristolochia macrophylla (Dutchman's Pipe) has mostly smooth stems and foliage.
Insect, Disease, and Other Plant Problems: No serious disease/insect problems
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Aristolochia
- Species:
- macrophylla
- Family:
- Aristolochiaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- In the past, a European species was used medically for pain or infections related to childbirth.
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Southeastern Canada and Eastern United States
- Distribution:
- Native: Canada--Ontario; United States--GA, KY, MD, NY, NC, PA, SC, TN, VT, VA, and WV; Introduced: Germany, Uzbekistan, United States--CT, MA, and NJ;
- Fire Risk Rating:
- extreme flammability
- Wildlife Value:
- It is a larval host plant for the Pipevine Swallowtail Butterfly. The leaves are an important food source for the caterpillars.
- Play Value:
- Screening
- Wildlife Larval Host
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- The vine has few pest or disease problems. It is able to withstand urban pollution quite well.
- Climbing Method:
- Twining
- Edibility:
- All parts of the vine are toxic if ingested
- Dimensions:
- Height: 15 ft. 0 in. - 40 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 15 ft. 0 in. - 20 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Native Plant
- Vine
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Climbing
- Spreading
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Coarse
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Soil pH:
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12-24 feet
- NC Region:
- Mountains
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Black
- Gray/Silver
- Green
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- In late summer or early fall, a greenish six-sided capsule forms. It measures 2 inches long and 3/4 inches wide. It ripens to a gray or black capsule.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- Purple/Lavender
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Solitary
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Trumpet
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- The Dutchman's Pipe flowers are inconspicuous and hidden by the vine's dense foliage. They measure 1-2 inches long and resemble Dutch smoking pipes. They are yellow-greenish in color with brownish-purple lobes and have no petals. They bloom from May to June and have an unusual fragrance.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Gray/Silver
- Green
- Leaf Shape:
- Cordate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- The leaves are large, smooth, and heart-shaped. The leaf is dark green on the upper surface and pale silver beneath. They measure up to 12 inches long and create a dense screen on a trellis, arbor, fence, or wall.
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Dark Brown
- Light Brown
- Surface/Attachment:
- Smooth
- Bark Description:
- The bark is brown and fairly smooth. It develops shallow vertical splits.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Buds:
- Hairy
- Stem Form:
- Zig Zags
- Stem Surface:
- Smooth (glabrous)
- Stem Description:
- The stems are slender and green but eventually will turn brown. They have wooly buds.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Vertical Spaces
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Native Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Design Feature:
- Screen/Privacy
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Pollinators
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Black Walnut
- Deer
- Diseases
- Insect Pests
- Pollution
