ARISARUM 



ARISTOLOCHIA 



95 



vulgare, Targ. (Arum Arisarum. Linn.). A foot 

 high : Ivs. cordate or somewhat hastate, long-stalked : 

 spathe purple, incurved at the top. Has many forms 

 and many names. Can be grown in the open with pro- 

 tection. 



ARISTOLOCHIA (named for supposed medicinal vir- 

 tues). Aristolochidcece. BIRTHWORT. Many species of 

 tropical and temperate regions, 

 remarkable for the very odd- 

 shaped fls. The corolla is want- 

 ing, but the calyx is corolla-like, 

 tubular, variously bent, and com- 

 monly tumid above the ovary ; 

 stamens commonly (!, short and 

 adnate to the style (Fig. 140). 

 Mostly woody twiners, the great- 

 er part of them known to cult, 

 only in warm glass-houses. Many 

 species are evergreen. The ten- 

 der species are cult, for the strik- 

 ingly irregular and grotesque fls. 

 Monogr. by Duchartre in De- 

 Candolle's Prodromus, Vol. 15, 

 Part 1(1864). L. H. B. 



139. Flower of Dutchman's Pipe, Aristolochia macrophylla. 



Sliowing the ovary at a, 

 and the swelling of the calyx-tube at b. Natural size. 



The best known representative of this genus is Aris- 

 tolochia macrophylla (or A. Sipho), the "Dutchman's 

 Pipe," than which there is no better hardy climbing vine 

 for shade or screen purposes. No insects or other trou- 

 bles seem to mar its deep green foliage, for which it is 

 most valued, as the fls. are small, siphon- shaped, and 

 inconspicuous, in early spring soon after the Ivs. are 

 formed. There are many tropical Aristolochias, the fls. 

 of some of them being of extraordinary size, structure, 

 and odor, but they are rarely seen on account of the last 

 characteristic, the odor being so suggestive of putridity 

 as to make its proximity apparent to all, and even to 

 deceive the flies as to its origin. One of the most gi- 

 gantic varieties is A. grandiflora, var. Sturtevantii. 

 Another fine species is A. Goldieana ; but the best of 

 the tropical kinds for general culture in glass structures 

 is A. elegans, as it is very easily raised from home- 

 grown seeds, flowers the first year, is very decorative 

 as a climber, and has no odor. We find it very easy of 

 culture in rich soil, and it is evergreen, as, indeed, are 

 most of the tropical kinds. The Aristolochias are of easy 

 culture, requiring only good loam and careful attention 

 to keep them thrifty and free of insects. They can be 

 trained on trellises, pillars, or rafters. Most of them 

 require a rather warm temperature, but if in pots they 

 may be flowered in the conservatory. The large-growing 

 species require much room, and do not bloom, as a rule, 

 until they are several feet high. Prop, readily by cut- 

 tings in a frame. Except as oddities, most of the Aristo- 



*ias are of little value. ^ fey Q QRPET 



A. Herbs, not climbing. 



Serpentaria, Linn. VIRGINIA SNAKEROOT. Height 3 

 ft. or less : pubescent, with short rootstocks and aro- 

 matic roots : Ivs. ovate to lanceolate, cordate, acuminate 



at the top : fls. terminal, solitary, S-shaped, much en- 

 larged above the ovary, greenish. E. states. Occasion- 

 ally cult. Roots used in medicine. Reputed remedy for 

 snake bites. 



Clematitis, Linn. Two ft. or less tall, glabrous : Ivs. 

 reniform-pointed, ciliate on the margins : fls- axillary 

 and clustered, straight, greenish. Eu. Rarely cult., 

 and occasionally escaped. 



AA. Woody, twining. 

 B. Cultivated in the open. 



macrophylla, Lam. (A. Sipho, L'Her). DUTCHMAN'S 

 PIPE. Figs. 138, 139, 140. Very tall, twining, glabrous : 

 Ivs. very large, broadly reniform or rounded, becoming 

 glabrous : fls. solitary or 2 or 3 together in the axils, 

 U-shaped, enlarged above the ovary, with a 3-lobed, 

 spreading limb, purplish. E. states. B.M. 534. G.W.P. 

 43. Gng. 1:53. G.F. 5:509 ( habit). -Au excellent vine 

 for porches, the great Ivs. affording a dense shade. 



tomentdsa, Sims. Much like the last, but very tomen- 

 tose : Ivs. less rounded : fl. yellow, with reflexed lobes. 

 N. Car. to Mo. and S. B.M. 1369. 



Californica, Torr. Silky pubescent, 6-10 ft. : Jvs. ovate- 

 cordate, 2-4 in. long, obtuse or acutish, short-petioled : 

 fls. U-shaped, little contracted at the throat, the limb 

 2-lobed, with the upper lip of 2 broad, obtuse lobes and 

 a thickening on the inner side. Calif. 



BB. Greenhouse or warm house. 

 G. flower-limb of 2 narrow lobes. 

 ridicula, N. E. Br. Very slender, stiff-hairy through- 

 out : Ivs. round -reniform, cordate : fls. axillary and 

 solitary, 2 in. long aside from the limb, with a long sac 

 at the base of the tube, pale yellow with dull purple 

 veining ; limb of two spreading, deflexed, narrow lobes r 

 glandular, reminding one of donkeys' ears. Brazil. 

 B.M. 6934. G.C. II. 26:361. 



cc. Flower-limb ample and flowing. 

 cymbifera, Mart. & Zucc. (A. labiosa, Sims). Gla- 

 brous : st. striate : Ivs. reniform, obtuse and deeply cut 

 at the base, pedately 7-9-nerved, long stalked : fls. long- 

 stalked, 8-10 in. long, strongly 2-lipped ; the upper lip 

 short and lanceolate, acute or acuminate ; the lower lip 

 (which, by position of fl. may seem to be the upper) very 

 large, dilated at base, and produced into a long, boat- 



140. Longitudinal section of flower of 



Dutchman's Pipe. 

 Showing the ovary, and short column of stamens at g. 



