How to Grow and Care for Aristolochia

Another name for giant dutchmans pipe is the 'giant Dutchman's pipe' since it resembles the meerschaum pipes commonly smoked in the Netherlands. Even though giant dutchmans pipe vines attract pipevine swallowtail butterflies to lay their eggs, the leaves of this plant are toxic to larvae which die within days of ingestion.

Dutchman's pipe is a hardy, deciduous vine that climbs trellises or walls and can provide privacy or shade with its dense, heart-shaped leaves. This vine grows small pipe-shaped flowers that give it its name. Dutchman's pipe attracts many swallowtail butterflies with its pretty little blooms.

Birthwort (Aristolochia clematitis) is native to the Medditerannian area of Europe; however, it has found its way across the Atlantic Ocean. Although attractive to the eye, their flowers have an incredibly foul odor and entice various insects to visit. As insects climb down the flower tube, tiny hairs trap them and prevent them from escaping, allowing the plant to slowly digest them. In spite of some cultural practices, birthwort is toxic to consume.

Gaping dutchman's pipe boasts a highly unique appearance with flowers that share a resemblance to carnivorous pipe-shaped plants. This stunning attribute is what gave the plant its name, Dutchman's Pipe. It grows naturally in tropical rainforests but is also cultivated as an ornamental plant. Unfortunately, gaping dutchman's pipe has escaped cultivation and is now considered a global and invasive weed.

Andalusian dutchman's pipe takes its name from its distinctly shaped tubular flowers, which range from maroon to brown. Andalusian dutchman's pipe traps flies inside its long flower with inner hairs, holding them overnight to ensure they are coated in pollen before releasing them the next morning.