Genus Aristolochia L.
Род. 315 (2). ВЪЛЧА ЯБЪЛКА — ARISTOLOCHIA L.
L., Sp. PI. ed. 1 (1753) 962; Gen. PI. ed. 5 (1754)
Fam: Aristolochiaceae Juss.
Genus: Aristolochia L.
English Name: Birthwort, Pipevine or Dutchman's pipe
Description: Perennial herbaceous or repent woody plants. Leaves Leaves successive, without stipule, entire, most often heart-shaped, with stems or seated. Flowers lateral, collected a few in the bosom of the leaves or single. Perianth irregular, tubular, at the base swollen like a bubble, at the top of a narrow, almost cylindrical, the top unilaterally extended in the form of tongue, rarely missing or with 2 - 3 shares or with 3 - 6 teeth, fall off. Stamens usually 6, rarely more or less, located in one round, sessile on the column formed by coalescence of (5) 6 (12) bars. Ovary inferior (4) 5 - 6-well. Fruit break out into blossom with longitudinal fissures box.Cross-pollinated by small insects.
Table for determining the species
1 Flowers collected 2 to several in the bosom of the leaves. The underground part is short, creeping rhizome .............................................................. ..................................................................................................................................................................... 1. (European) birthwort - A. clematitis L.
1* Flowers always placed one in the bosom of the leaves. Underground part tuber or rhizome thick vertical ................................................................ 2
2 Leaves subsessile and his heart-on cover stem ......................................……………………2. Mearwort or Round-leaved birthwort - A rotunda L.
2* Leaves kidney ovoid, with well developed stem .......................................................................................... 3. Round aristolochia - A. pallida Willd
From „Флора на НР България”, том IV, БАН, София, (1970)* * *
Aristolochia (English /əˌrɪstəˈloʊkiə/) is a large plant genus with over 500 species that is the type genus of the family (Aristolochiaceae). Its members are commonly known as birthwort, pipevine or Dutchman's pipe and are widespread and occur in the most diverse climates. Some species, like A. utriformis and A. westlandii, are threatened with extinction.
Isotrema is usually included here, but might be a valid genus. If so, it contains those species with a three-lobed calyx.
Aristolochia is a genus of evergreen and deciduous woody vines and herbaceous perennials. The smooth stem is erect or somewhat twining. The simple leaves are alternate and cordate, membranous, growing on leaf stalks. There are no stipules.
The flowers grow in the leaf axils. They are inflated and globose at the base, continuing as a long perianth tube, ending in a tongue-shaped, brightly colored lobe. There is no corolla. The calyx is one to three whorled, and three to six toothed. The sepals are united (gamosepalous). There are six to 40 stamens in one whorl. They are united with the style, forming a gynostemium. The ovary is inferior and is four to six locular.
These flowers have a specialized pollination mechanism. The plants are aromatic and their strong scent[2] attracts insects. The inner part of the perianth tube is covered with hairs, acting as a fly-trap. These hairs then wither to release the fly, covered with pollen.
The fruit is dehiscent capsule with many endospermic seeds.
The common names "Dutchman's pipe" and "pipevine" (e.g. common pipevine, A. durior) are an allusion to old-fashioned meerschaum pipes at one time common in the Netherlands and northern Germany. "Birthwort" (e.g. European birthwort A. clematitis) refers to these species' flower shape, resembling a birth canal. The scientific name Aristolochia was developed from Ancient Greek aristos (άριστος) "best" + locheia (λοχεία), "childbirth" or "childbed,", relating to its known ancient use in childbirth.[3][4] The Roman orator Cicero records a different tradition, that the plant was named for the otherwise unknown individual with the common Greek name Aristolochos, who had learned from a dream that it was an antidote for snake bites.[5]
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia* * *
References: „Флора на НР България”, том IV, БАН, София, (1970), Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Distribution in Bulgaria: (Conspectus of the Bulgarian Vascular Flora) = conspectus&gs_l= Zlc.
Distribution:
Aristolochia clematitis L. - (European) birthwort
|
© K.Nanev |
© Copy right: K. Nanev© 2012. All rights reserved