The Aristolochia Elegans is an evergreen vine with large, 3 inch flowers that are colored purple, heart-shape flowers with yellow centers.

Aristolochia Elegans

The unusual flower of this evergreen Vine makes it commonly called as calico flower, because it is covered with a distinct purple-brown pattern that is similar to that of the calico fabric.

The Aristolochia Elegans is also called by another name, which is Dutchman’s pipe, for the distinguishable s-curved tubular flare shape that it has at its mouth.

The distinct peculiarity of the Vine Plant is generally found in most of the species of the Aristolochia family, and making them commonly known as pipe vines. This plant has recently been assigned a new name which is A. littoralis.

This plant is an evergreen vine with large, 3 inch flowers that are most commonly colored purple, heart-shape flowers with yellow centers. This trailing vine has bright green, heart-shaped leaves.

The stems are slender and it can twine upwards in tight coils up to a height 10 to 15 feet. The blooming period is during the hot summer months.

Cultivation

This vine is native to Brazil and can be found also in other South American countries. The calico flower flourishes in light sandy soil and prefers part sun to shade.

During the winter months, the parts that are exposed above the ground will die from freezing, but the plant will grow again in the spring. It can be propagated by cuttings or by seed. It is common to find smaller pipe vine plants beside a mature pipe vine.

Decorative Use

The calico plants dense foliage makes it an ideal landscaping plant to use as screen cover. It can be used to climb up and thickly cover fences made out of chicken wire and other similar material. The pipe vine can also be used to trail up other kinds of support like trellises.

Medicinal Application

Plants from the genus Aristolochia are also called birthworth because it was widely used to ease the labor pains that women have during childbirth. This plant is also used as an herbal remedy to other ailments such as malaria.

There is a need to be cautious when taking these herbal remedies made from the plant as the alkaloid aristolochic content that it has is highly toxic. The toxic nature of this plant can damage the kidneys, make a person vomit, suffer from pain, or even die.

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