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Aristolochia rotunda L.
Name
Round-leafed Birthwort
Habit
perennial herb < 0,6 m, globose tuber
Inflorescence
2-4 cm, odour barely noticeable
Origin
France to Greece, Italy, Balcan Peninsula, Baleares
Seeds
thick-shelled, compressed triangular, large elaiosome,
stratification 1-3 years
Aristolochia rotunda represents the most widespread Aristolochia in Europe aside A. clematitis and A. pallida.
A. rotunda shows quite recognizable differences concerning populations across its habitat.
On the Tyrrhenian Islands the subspecies A. rotunda subsp. insularis needs to be mentioned and another one, A. rotunda subsp. reichsteinii, from the island of Pag/Croatia.
It is yet unclear how significantly the differences of vegetative and underground parts justify the taxonomic status as many intermediate forms e.g. from Sicily and Greek islands are known.
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