398 



A ristolochiacece A ristolochia. 



cells. The species are estimated at about 1 80, in eight genera. 

 Most abundant in South America. 



1. ARISTOLOCHIA. 



Erect herbs or climbing shrubs with cordate entire or lobate 

 leaves and axillary clustered or solitary pendulous flowers. 

 Perianth tubular, curved or straight, with an oblique trilobate 

 limb. Stamens 6 ; anthers adhering to the stigma. Capsule 

 6-valved. There are 160 species, chiefly tropical. The name 

 is of Greek origin, founded on its reputed medicinal properties, 

 as is also the English one, Birthwort. 



1. A. Clematltis. An erect perennial with simple stems, 

 ovate-cordate petiolate glabrous leaves, and clustered axillary 

 yellow flowers, produced all through the Summer. A European 

 species, occasionally seen as a garden outcast in Britain. 



2. A. Slpho (fig. 212), Dutchman's Pipe. A hardy 



Fig. 212. Aristolochia Sipho. (J nat. size.) 



deciduous climbing shrub with very large glabrescent leaves 

 and yellow and purple streaked flowers, appearing in Summer. 

 A native of North America. 



Asarum Europium is a tufted evergreen herb with radical 



