Aristolochia reticulata
| Aristolochia reticulata | |
| Light: |   |
| Moisture: |  |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Height: | 1' |
| Blooms: | Late Spring-Mid Summer |
| Open Woods Forest | |
| Native to: | |
| Medicinal Rating: | |
| Tea: | Yes |
 | |
Aristolochia reticulata (common name: texas dutchman's pipe)
Propagation: Seed - best sown in a greenhouse as soon as it is ripe in the autumn. Pre-soak stored seed for 48 hours in hand-hot water and surface sow in a greenhouse[1]. Germination usually takes place within 1 - 3 months at 20°c[1]. Stored seed germinates better if it is given 3 months cold stratification at 5°c[2]. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant out in late spring or early summer after the last expected frosts.
Division in autumn[2].
Root cuttings in winter[2].
Cultivation: We have very little information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy in Britain, though judging by its native range it could succeed outdoors in many parts of this country. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus.
Prefers a well-drained loamy soil, rich in organic matter, in sun or semi-shade[3][1][2]. Succeeds in ordinary garden soil[1].
Most species in this genus have malodorous flowers that are pollinated by flies[2].
Range: Southern N. America - Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma and Texas.
Habitat: Moist woodlands[2]. Moist, sandy soils at elevations of 30 - 600 metres[4].
Medicinal: The root is aromatic, bitter, diaphoretic, stimulant and stomachic[5][6].
The dried rhizome of Aristolochia reticulata is sometimes sold as serpentary for the treatment of snakebites[7]. It is used as a tonic to calm the stomach, promote urination, and increase perspiration. The active ingredient is aristolochic acid, a potent gastric irritant that, in large doses, can cause respiratory paralysis[4].
Pollinators: Flies
Soil: Can grow in medium soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Known Hazards: We have no specific details for this species but most members of this genus have poisonous roots and stems[8].
The plant contains aristolochic acid, this has received rather mixed reports on its toxicity. According to one report aristolochic acid stim
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Rice, Graham. Growing from Seed Volume 2. Thompson and Morgan, 1988.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Flora of North America.
- ↑ Grieve, Margaret. A Modern Herbal. Penguin, 1984.
- ↑ Usher, George. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable, 1974.
- ↑ Diggs, George and Barney Lipscomb. Illustrated Flora of North Central Texas. Botanical Research Institute, 1999.
- ↑ Read, Bernard. Famine Foods Listed in the Chiu Huang Pen Ts'ao. Taipei Southern Materials Centre, 1977.