Aristolochia L.
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Authority
Acevedo-Rodríguez, Pedro. 2005. Vines and climbing plants of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. Contr. U. S. Natl. Herb. 51: 1-483.
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Family
Aristolochiaceae
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Scientific Name
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Description
Description - Herbaceous or woody vines, less frequently herbs or shrubs. Leaves alternate, petiolate; blades simple, entire or trilobed; pseudostipules usually present. Flowers bisexual, zygomorphic, solitary and axillary or clustered and cauliflorous. Calyx inflated in the basal portion (utricle), the apex of the utricle narrow, forming a tube that expands toward the margins into an entire, circular or bilobed limb, the lobes generally unequal, some forming a long tail; corolla absent; stamens 5-6, sessile; ovary inferior or half-inferior, of 5-6 united carpels; ovules numerous; styles 5-6, connate, the stigma capitate. Fruit a septicidal capsule, with numerous light, compressed seeds. A tropical genus of 450-550 species.