THE BIRTHWORT FAMILY 
[ORDER LXV. ARISTOLOCHIACE^E] 
HIS is a small order of herbs and twining shrubs with heart- or kidney-shaped leaves. It is 
poorly represented in the British Isles, only one insignificant plant, Asarum europaeum, 
being native. The genus Birthwort (Aristolochia), from which the family takes its name, is 
remarkable for its often gigantic flowers and for the peculiar shape of its tubular perianth and 
spreading limb. 
The order is best studied in the tropics. 
Several species are cultivated in gardens and greenhouses — the Wild American Ginger 
(Asarum Canadense), Aristolochia trilobata, Aristolochia Sipho, and many others. 
The tropical Birthworts (Aristolochias) with their huge flowers are most extraordinary plants. 
The flowers of Aristolochia Goldeana, a species discovered in recent years in South Africa, are 
about 26 inches long and n inches broad. Those of another species found in Gautemala — 
Aristolochia gigas, variety Sturtevantii — are about 22 inches long and 17 inches broad, with a tail 
over 1 yard long ; they are creamy yellow and maroon, but as a rule the flowers are of a dark 
brown colour, strongly mottled and veined. In South America there are some balloon-like flowers 
with which the children play, using them instead of hats. Altogether the Aristolochias are most 
curious and interesting plants. Many entrap insects by means of the bladder-like enlarged base 
of the perianth-tube, in which is enclosed the pistil and stamens ; they are not, however, carnivorous 
plants and let the insects free when the flowers have been fertilised. 
The Virginian Snake-root (Aristolochia serpentaria) is used as an antidote to snake bites, and 
several species are said to have properties which stupefy snakes and so enable jugglers to perform 
their tricks with them. 
I. Asarabacca (As'arum). Flower solitary, bell-shaped, 3-lobed ; stamens 1 2. 
II. Birthwort (Aristolochia). Flowers in clusters, tubular, extended into a limb on one side ; 
I. ASARABACCA. (AS ARUM. Linn.) — Flowers solitary and terminal, on a short leafless stalk 
(scape). Perianth bell-shaped (campanulate), the tube entirely or partially united with the 
seedcase, and spreading into a 3-lobed limb ; stamens 1 2, the filaments more or less united, 
adhering to the style, inserted on the top of the seedcase (epigynous) ; carpels 6, style short and 
thick, stigmas 6 ; fruit a 6-celled, many-seeded capsule. Stemless herbs with a few long stalked, 
heart-shaped (cordate) or kidney-shaped (reniform) leaves from the root, a solitary flower, and 
creeping roots. 
Asarabacca. (As'arum europseum. Linn.) — The only British species. As just 
described, and perhaps not a true native. A curious and unmistakable little plant, bearing one 
stamens 6. 
