11 – Aristolochia gigantea

Aristolochia gigantea Mart.

Giant dutchman’s pipe

Scientific name: Aristolochia gigantea Mart.

Family: Aristolochiaceae

Origin: Brazil

Year planted: 1998

Flowering: Summer – Autumn

Description

It is an evergreen liana, which can climb up to 6 meters. The leaves are heart-shaped, and can reach 10 centimeters long.

It has spectacular and very large flowers: they can exceed 30 centimeters. They have thick, purple petals with white striations. They are large so that insects can find the entrance to the very narrow center of the flower and pollinate it. This narrow entrance serves as a barrier and only allows a very small group of insects to pass through. It gives off a strong lemon scent.

When an insect pollinates the flower, the petals fall off and the fruit grows, in the shape of a 20 centimeters long cylinder.

Marimurtra’s specimens

You will find them on the roof and walls of the entrance of the pergola.

When they bloom, the roof of the corridor is dyed purple with its spectacular flowers and its pleasant scent of lemon fills the air.

Did you know…?

It is a plant widely used in gardens and interior patios because the flowers are very beautiful and large, the leaf is evergreen, and because it quickly climbs up pergolas and walls to provide shade. It is used in medicine to make anti-inflammatories and antidotes against snake venom.

Some toxic compounds that can induce cancer have also been found, and for this reason it is not allowed to be used in pharmacy.

Threat level (UICN)

Main uses

Raunkiaer Life Forms