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Aristolochia gigantea
Family Name: | Aristolochiaceae |
Synonyms: | Aristolochia clypeata |
Common Name: | Giant Dutchman's Pipe, Pelican Flower |
Name
Family Name | |
Genus Epithet | |
Species Epithet | |
Name Status (botanical) | |
Synonyms | |
Common Names |
Classifications and Characteristics
Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon) |
Plant Growth Form | Climber, Vine & Liana |
Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
Maximum Height | 4.6 m to 6 m |
Biogeography
Native Distribution | Brazil, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Panama |
Native Habitat | Terrestrial |
Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical |
Local Conservation Status | Non-native (Horticultural / Cultivated Only) |
Description and Ethnobotany
Growth Form | Herbaceous evergreen vine with a climbing or spreading growth habit. |
Foliage | Light green leaves are heart-shaped with entire leaf margin. Leaves are arranged alternately along the stems, measuring about 15 cm long and 11 cm wide, with whitish hair on the undersides. |
Flowers | Large flowers (15 cm wide, 30 cm tall) have an unusual, pouchlike shape. The flowers are reddish purple with white, net-like streaks and a yellow throat. Unlike A. grandiflora which also produces large flowers, it does not produce an unpleasant smell. |
Fruits | Fruits are oblong or cylindrical capsules, measuring to about 13 cm long and 3 cm wide. and will turn from green to brown when mature, splitting open at the top into 7 sections in a 'Chinese Lantern' pattern to release many seeds. The mature fruit capsule is papery. |
Habitat | Found in tropical forests and stream banks at an altitude of 700 - 1100 m, mostly cultivated. |
Cultivation | This fast-growing species should be planted in fertile soil that is mildly acidic to mildly alkaline (pH = 6 - 8). Allow 1.8 - 2.4 m of spacing between individuals. It grows well in a sunny spot that is protected from full sun. Propagate by seed. |
Etymology | The specific epithet "gigantea" refers to the large flowers. |
Landscaping Features
Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Flowers |
Plant & Rootzone Preference - Tolerance | Well-Drained Soils |
Landscape Uses | Parks & Gardens, Vertical Greenery / Green Wall, Trellis / Arbour / Pergola |
Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal
Seed or Spore Dispersal | Abiotic |
Plant Care and Propagation
Light Preference | Full Sun |
Water Preference | Moderate Water |
Plant Growth Rate | Fast |
Potential Problems | No serious pests or disease problems. |
Propagation Method | Seed |
Foliar
Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Velvety / Furry / Tomentose |
Prominent Young Flush Colour(s) | Green |
Young Flush Texture(s) | Velvety / Furry / Tomentose |
Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
Foliar Arrangement Along Stem | Alternate |
Foliar Attachment to Stem | Petiolate |
Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage (Cordate) |
Foliar Venation | Palmate |
Foliar Margin | Entire |
Foliar Apex - Tip | Acute |
Foliar Base | Cordate |
Floral (Angiosperm)
Flower & Plant Sexuality 1 | Bisexual Flowers |
Flower Colour(s) | Brown |
Flower Location | Axillary |
Flower Symmetry | Bilateral |
Flowering Period | Free-Flowering |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
Mature Fruit Colour(s) - Angiosperms and Gymnosperms | Brown |
Mature Fruit Texture(s) | Papery |
Fruit Classification | Simple Fruit |
Fruit Type 1 | Dehiscent Dry Fruit |
Fruit Type 2 | Capsule |
Mature Seed Colour(s) | Brown |
Seed Quantity Per Fruit | Numerous (>20) |
Image Repository
Images |
Others
Master ID | 19 |
Species ID | 1315 |
Flora Disclaimer | The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes. |