BIRTHWORT FAMILY. Aristolocblaceae. 



Virginia 

 Snakeroot 



Aristolochia 

 Serpentaria 

 Dull green 

 June-July 



A woolly stemmed and familiar medici- 

 nal herb, the long heart-shaped leaves thin 

 and green on both sides, and the dull 

 greenish flowers with curving crooked 

 long stems, near the root, as in Asarum, 

 the calyx curved like the letter S. Some- 

 times the flowers are fertilized in the bud without open- 

 ing (Britton), but often they trap many of the smaller 

 insects notably gnats who possibly assist fertilization. 

 Fruit an ovoid ribbed capsule. 8-20 inches high. Conn, 

 and N. Y., south to Fla., west to Mich, and Mo. 



A familiar tall vine in cultivation from 

 New York south, trailing most frequently 

 over arbors, porches, and piazzas. Smooth 

 heart-shaped light green leaves, and hook- 

 shaped flowers, the yellow-green veiny 

 tube with a flat, three-lobed purple-brown 

 throat, resembling a Dutch pipe ; it en- 

 traps early small insects gnats and flies. 10-25 feet 

 high. In rich woods southern Pa., south to Ga., west 

 to Minn. 



The Dutchman's pipe is one of those vigorous, stolid, 

 and satisfactory vines, big leaved and curiously flowered, 

 which commends itself to the horticulturist. It re- 

 sponds readily to cultivation. 



Aristolochia -^ s i m ^ ar vine, but characterized by an 



extreme woolliness ; leaves round-heart- 

 shaped, veiny, and smaller than those of 

 A. sipho. The flowers a yellower green, 

 with calyx exceedingly woolly, the deep 

 purple-brown throat nearly closed and oblique. N. Car., 

 south, and west to Mo. 



Dutchman's 

 Pipe 



Aristolochia 

 Sipho 



Dull green, 

 purple-brow 

 May-June 



tomentosa 

 Dull green, 

 purple-brown 

 May-June 



