Aristolochia macrophylla
Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Aristolochia durior
- Isotrema macrophyllum
- Phonetic Spelling
- ah-ris-toh-LOH-kee-ah mak-roh-FYE-lah
- Description
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Aristolochia macrophylla, commonly called Dutchman’s Pipe, is a very vigorous native vine with bold texture. Commonly called Dutchman's pipe because the unusual, 2" long, yellowish-green flowers (each flaring at the calyx mouth to form 3 brownish-purple lobes) superficially resemble Dutch smoking pipes. It will create a thick green screen in a short period of time making it ideal for covering a fence, wall or strong trellis.
This native plant grows best in moist, ordinary, well-drained soil, in full to partial sun and grwos rapidly once established and can even be pruned severely. It is intolerant of dry soil. It is a good plant for having few pest or disease problems, and as a bonus it withstands urban pollution quite well.
Best on a large support
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: You can tell the difference between the very similar Aristolochia tomentosa and this plant because one is mostly hairy (Aristolochia tomentosa) and one is mostly smooth (Aristolochia macrophylla ).
Regions: Mountain
Seasons of Interest:
Blooms: Summer Nut/Fruit/Seed: Fall
Wildlife Value: This plant is moderately resistant to damage from deer. It is a host plant for the Pipevine Swallowtail butterfly. This vine plays an important role in the life of native Pipevine Swallowtail butterflies. The flowers provide nectar for the butterflies, and the leaves are an important food source for the caterpillars. The vigorous growth of this vine makes it easy to share the leaves with these beautiful insects.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Aristolochia
- Species:
- macrophylla
- Family:
- Aristolochiaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Fire Risk Rating:
- extreme flammability
- Wildlife Value:
- It is a host plant for the Pipevine Swallowtail butterfly. This vine plays an important role in the life of native Pipevine Swallowtail butterflies. The flowers provide nectar for the butterflies, and the leaves are an important food source for the caterpillars. The vigorous growth of this vine makes it easy to share the leaves with these beautiful insects. The plant supports Pipevine Swallowtail (Battus philenor) larvae which appear in late spring and summer in the east and California. In the south and southwest regions it most commonly appears in late summer through fall. Adult Pipevine Swallowtail butterflies also feed solely off of flower nectar from other plants like azaleas, thistles, verbena, lupines, and lilacs.
- Play Value:
- Wildlife Food Source
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- few pest or disease problems, withstands urban pollution quite well
- Climbing Method:
- Twining
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Native Plant
- Vine
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Texture:
- Coarse
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- NC Region:
- Mountains
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 4a, 4b, 5b, 5a, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8b, 8a
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Black
- Brown/Copper
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Description:
- Displays from August to September
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Cream/Tan
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- Insignificant
- Purple/Lavender
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Summer
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- The Dutchman's pipe has inconspicuous, mahogany and cream flowers from March to June. This plant has very interesting flowers that are shaped like a small pipe. You may have to look hard to find the flowers–they are only a few inches long. The flower has an unusual but not offensive fragrance. Commonly called Dutchman's pipe because the unusual, 2" long, yellowish-green flowers (each flaring at the calyx mouth to form 3 brownish-purple lobes) superficially resemble Dutch smoking pipes.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Description:
- This plant has large, dark green, heart-shaped leaves.
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Dark Brown
- Light Brown
- Surface/Attachment:
- Smooth
- Bark Description:
- Its bark is brown and fairly smooth with occasional shallow splits.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Surface:
- Smooth (glabrous)
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Vertical Spaces
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Native Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Design Feature:
- Screen/Privacy
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Pollinators
- Songbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Diseases
- Insect Pests
- Pollution
