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Aristolochia fimbriata Cham.

Name

Fimbriate Birthwort

Habit

perennial, scrambling geophyte < 2 m, tuberous taproot

Inflorescence

2-3 cm, odour barely noticeable

Origin

Brazil, Bolivia, Argentina

Seeds

thick-shelled, triangular to ovate, small elaiosome

This tropical highland species surely belongs to the most admirable Aristolochia.

The curiously tentaculated flowers appear in every leaf axil along the shoots while a mature plant can produce more than 300 of these in one season!

 

Unlike many other species from the same origin A. fimbriata is a self-pollinating species producing masses of seeds each year.

Anyway it does not display a weedy habit as it draws back completely to the tuberous underground stem in winter.

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