Re: Aristolochia
CMDodd@aol.com
Wed, 10 Jan 1996 22:14:58 -0500
One could easily be forgiven for mistaking some of the Aristolochia for CP. I
was given one species A. macrouii (spelling?) from Brazil that has flowers
almost exactly like Nepenthes pitchers. They have a bulbous base, then a
constriction, narrow tube, mouth with lid (the underside of the lid is
covered with dense short hair) plus an unusual 'tassle' that hangs down from
the midpoint of the end of the lid and is longer than the entire flower. The
flowers are a maroon color and striped, but are not produced in abundance and
only last 1-2 days. I assumed from the shape they must trap insects for
pollination, though I do not know how the insects escape to reach a second
flower. The flower more or less flops over after a couple of days possibly
unintentionally sealing in its guest. One other feature in common with
Nepenthes is that the plant is polymorphic producing some leaves shaped like
a duck's foot and others more or less oval. Supposedly this species is
extinct in the wild but is an easy rampant grower in cultivation.
Cliff