Aristolochia watsonii

Common Name: Watson's Dutchman's Pipe
Oˊodham Name: [Unknown]
Group: Annuals － Desert, Uplands, Riparian areas

Description

Aristolochia watsonii is an annual vine that sprouts from am underground tap root. It grows in lightly shaded areas of sandy deserts, uplands, and riparian areas, at 2000 to 4000 feet elevation. In spring and late summer, it can be found twining around other vegetation for support. The leaves are green and brown, long, narrow, and arrow-shaped. Flowers are inconspicuous and have a large opening resembling a pipe. These form fruit that are elongated, round capsules with 4 lengthwise running ribs. The species contains the toxin aristolochic acid and is toxic. However, it is eaten by the Pipevine Swallowtail butterfly (Battus philenor). The caterpillars eat both the leaves and fruit.

Classification

Kingdom Plantae － Plants

Subkingdom Tracheobionta － Vascular plants

Superdivision Spermatophyta － Seed plants

Division Magnoliophyta － Flowering plants

Class Magnoliopsida － Dicotyledons

Subclass Magnoliidae

Order Aristolochiales

Family Aristolochiaceae － Birthwort family

Genus Aristolocia L. － dutchman's pipe

Species Aristolochia watsonii Wooton & Standl. － Watson's dutchman's pipe

More Information

Distribution Maps: USDA
Article on Aristolochia watsonii and Pipefine Swallowtail
Paper on ecology of Battus philenor on Aristolochia watsonii
Video on Lifecycle of Pipevine Swallowtail butterfly