398 Aritstolochtacee—A ristolochia. 
cells. The species are estimated at about 180, 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. Clematitis.—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. Stpho (fig. 212), Dutchman’s Pipe.—A_ hardy 
Tig. 212. Aristolochia Sipho. (} 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 Europiiin is a tufted evergreen herb with radical 
