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Aristolochia erecta
Aristolochia erecta L.
Swanflower
Aristolochiaceae (Birthwort Family)
Synonym(s): Aristolochia longiflora
USDA Symbol: ARER
USDA Native Status: L48 (N)
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Herb , Vine
Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Leaf Arrangement: Alternate
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Leaf Shape: Lanceolate , Linear
Leaf Margin: Entire
Leaf Apex: Acuminate
Leaf Base: Attenuate , Cuneate
Breeding System: Flowers Bisexual
Fruit Type: Capsule
Size Notes: Sprawling to erect. Up to about 10 inches tall.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: Purple , BrownBloom Time: Apr , May , Jun , Jul , Aug , Sep , Oct
Distribution
USA: TXGrowing Conditions
Water Use: Low , MediumLight Requirement: Sun , Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Moist
Conditions Comments: Swanflower is a trailing grass mimic, presumably to evade female Pipevine swallowtail butterflies looking for a good place to lay their eggs. The caterpillars are black or orange and fleshy, often easier to spot than their host plants. Swanflower has intriguing tubular shaped flowers that look like small orchids.
Benefit
Conspicuous Flowers: yesAttracts: Butterflies
Larval Host: Pipevine swallowtail
Butterflies and Moths of North America (BAMONA)
Pipevine Swallowtail (Battus philenor) Larval Host |
From the National Organizations Directory
According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:Fredericksburg Nature Center - Fredericksburg, TX
Brackenridge Field Laboratory - Austin, TX
NPSOT - Austin Chapter - Austin, TX
Bibliography
Bibref 1186 - Field Guide to Moths of Eastern North America (2005) Covell, C.V., Jr.Bibref 1185 - Field Guide to Western Butterflies (Peterson Field Guides) (1999) Opler, P.A. and A.B. Wright
Search More Titles in Bibliography
Additional resources
USDA: Find Aristolochia erecta in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Aristolochia erecta in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Aristolochia erecta
Metadata
Record Modified: 2022-03-16Research By: Damon Waitt