PlantFiles: Virginia Snakeroot, Black Snakeroot
Aristolochia serpentaria

I live in West Virginia (berkeley county) in the eastern panhandle. Yes virginia snakeroot grows here. I have transplanted close to a 100 of these into my woods and several in growing containers in my yard. The ones in the woods I use for seed to start new ones and also sell live root stock from the ones in containers. Most of the transplants are dormant now and they were transplanted this year. So in the spring I should have seed stock.

This Aristolochia serpentaria is a woodland native to our region and grows in the parkland forest bordering our property. Unlike other aristolochias, this unremarkable little green plant grows low to the ground and is often over shadowed by other showier plants along the pathways.

A. serpentaria serves as a host plant for the Pipevine Swallowtail butterfly (Battus philenor) and is probably the most used Aristolochia for Pipevine ST egg-laying in our region. The plant is rarely found in garden centers but seeds or rooted starts are occasionally available on the internet. The seeds lend themselves to the 'wintersowing' seed starting method.

If you are looking for host plants for the Pipevine Swallowtail, another popular host Aristolachia often used by the Pipevine Swallowtail for egg-laying in our region is the vine 'Aristolochia tomentosa' aka 'Woolly Pipevine'. This viney aristolochia is more commonly available in garden centers.

Virginia Snakeroot, Black Snakeroot Aristolochia serpentaria is native to Texas and other States.