PlantFiles: Dutchman's Pipe
Aristolochia gigantea 'Brasiliensis'

I often wondered whether Dutchman's Pipe 'gigantea' was a hybrid. This was explained clearly to me with last post that it isn't. Mine did produce seeds, but winter frost blackened the leaves and young growth. I left the large, fibrous vines and hope to see them come back this spring. If they don't; I'll surely treat them as annual vines for these are show stoppers! Very exotic looking flowers. Leave are almost heart shape. Some books stated that it's hardy as far as zone 5. It's more accurate here (at DG's PF classified this under zone 8b+).
Gardener in zone 7b

I made this category because I think that there is some confusion between A. gigantea and A. brasiliensis. Sometimes this plant is called A. gigantea "brasiliensis" although it is not a cultivar - it is it's own species and can be grown true from seed.

COMPARISON TO A. GIGANTEA
A. brasiliensis has larger, floppier, definitely lemon-scented flowers that are lighter coloured than A. gigantea. Otherwise, the plants are very similiar to the point of my not being able to identify them if not in flower. The primary visual difference in the plants (other than the inflorescence) allegedly has to do with the amount of pointiness in the leaves according to one nurseryman I spoke with who also grows both species. I am not adept and telling them apart but he was able to do that easily.

UPDATE 12 Jan 07 - I have noticed that brasiliensis is a bit more reactive to cold weather. For instance, in Nov when temperatures in Southern Cal dropped a bit, my gigantea was fine (and is still in bloom on 12 Jan 07) but the brasiliensis had leaves that turned blackish along their ribs and it stopped trying to flower. Later, it lost mant leaves which turned black and fell whereas the gigantea does not do this. I think these species are siginificantly different.


This plant can and will easily escape into outlying wild areas and become an exotic pest if not kept under control so it is best to plant is well away from canyons and other wild areas. This plant is a host to butterfly larvae.

The flowers are large (almost dinner-plate large) and you can smell the lemony scent when you are close to the plant in bloom (it blooms profusely). This vine is a vigourous grower. It can be cultivated from seed or by cutting (warmth and humidity are important to success). I use greenwood and have good success.


Although I do not have any photos of this plant, as of this writing, if you go to the section on A. gigantea you will see two different kinds of flowers there - you will be abel to tell the difference between the smaller, darker giganteas and the larger, lighter and less structurally sound brasiliensis.

This plant grows well in greenhouses in Vista, CA where I used to work and I also have seen it in negihbourhoods in San Diego.