Aristolochia Species, Elegant Dutchman's Pipe, Calico Flower, Pelican Flower

On Mar 29, 2016, coriaceous from ROSLINDALE, MA wrote:

The Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council has listed this species as a Category ll invasive. It can damage ecosystem functioning and impoverish natural habitat.

AKA Aristolochia littoralis

On Jul 10, 2013, nathanieledison from Santa Rosa, CA (Zone 9b) wrote:

For years I lusted after this plant ONLY, merely to settle on A. grandiflora which I was very pleased and surprised to find at a local nursery. Two months after I plant it in the ground, it's beginning to cover the gazebo it's on and POOF - it blooms! The mislabelled plant was a Calico flower!

Kudos to anyone who read all that useless information.

Extremely fast growing vine, wonderful foliage although slightly malodorous. Flowers smell like nothing really except of freshly cut mushrooms. This vine is eating my yard and I'm loving every moment of it!!

On Apr 28, 2012, FlaFlower from Titusville, FL (Zone 9b) wrote:

I had this growing for well over a year it had covered a good amount of a portion of fence but the caterpillars kept it in check BUT no flowers, I bought it not knowing exactly what type it was, but wanting a pipe vine for the butterflies, I started a compost pile close to the area it is growing on, within 3 months suddenly it went nuts...it is just fully covered in flowers, so in my opinion it is a heavy feeder. The compost pile will stay there just for the vine...LOL
Come on Butterflies!!

On Nov 18, 2011, sunshinegoddess from Apopka, FL (Zone 9b) wrote:

I've had this vine for three years and love the Polydamas butterflies that it attracts and is the host plant for. I've even brought some "Polys" inside to raise. I saw my first blooms this year and they're spectacular.

Invasive? I think not. It has remained in the same area it was planted. (Can't say that about my Passionvine!)

As far as being toxic to Pipevine SWT's, I've never seen one here so I don't think that's a problem for my area.

On Mar 20, 2011, WinterWalleye from Shawnee Mission, KS wrote:

I live in a suburb of Kansas City, and saw this plants listed as a "native" at a local greenhouse. There was only one, so I bought it just to save someone the trouble of watching it die over the winter. I planted it facing the south and backed up to a fence. It grew great, and survived the first few frosts unscathed. Once we hit about 28 degrees, the foliage began to wilt. I cut it back, and for the heck of it, mulched it like crazy. We had a harsh winter with a bunch of snow and temps dipping into the -10 range, so I didn't even think about the presumably dead plant. I raked off the mulch today, and to my surprise I saw it was already trying to sprout! I will pamper it and hope to have the same success this winter.

On Jul 7, 2010, zanejr from Cabin Creek, WV (Zone 6b) wrote:

I got this plant in 2009, and love it. I see a lot of people say it smells like rotting meat, but it does not smell like that. It has a lemony smell to it. And the way the seeds form is very unique.

On Jul 19, 2009, DanKistner from Winter Haven, FL (Zone 9b) wrote:

Interesting Vine. Very attractive to butterflies. After every flower wilts on mine, it leaves behind a nice little seed basket that waves in the wind spreading it's seeds on the ground below. Found many Pipevine Swallowtail caterpillars on mine. Mean looking things but the end result is beautiful.

On Jun 16, 2008, rednyr from Sumter, SC (Zone 8a) wrote:

I purchased this at Park Seed on clearance in late winter - it was already 5' tall staked. I kept it in the GH, avg temp 45- 50, it needed only minimal watering. Once I planted it in May things really took off! I am amazed at how fast the pods grow...incredibly fast bloomer - within a week I have watched a baby pod start and then grow to 6-7" and bloom, . Have not noticed any negative scent at all. I have it placed to get a.m. sun and thus far it is digging it....and so am I.

On May 22, 2007, raincloud from Sonora, TX (Zone 8b) wrote:

While wonderful for butterflies, this plant is an invasive non-native. It is on the Florida Nurserymen and Growers Association please phase out list.

Be kind to your environment and the butterflies, pick a native like the ones listed:
Aristolochia pentandra
Aristolochia serpentaria
Aristolochia tomentosa
Hexastylis arifolia
Hexastylis arifolia var. arifolia
Hexastylis arifolia var. callifolia
Hexastylis virginica

On Dec 11, 2005, timrann from Other,
Mauritius wrote:

I have that for years now, it grows easily ( at least in Mauritius ) I've collected the seed at the seaside in a private garden , i really was amazed by the colour and shape of it. For me the flower resemble as an orchid flower. When i sowed the seed, i remember it took months to germinate but very easy going can tolerate even very dry condition. It likes humidity and heat , once established grow like crazy. The seeds caps resemble like a parachute with plenty of seeds laid vertically one on each othe r ; posting pics of the flower and the seeds.

On Oct 21, 2004, jcangemi from Clovis, CA (Zone 9a) wrote:

Do not find this plant to be invasive either here in San Joaquin Valley. Discovered by accident that the flowers hold well when picked. Layed one down that broke off and happened on it the next day and it looked as if just picked. . .will try more of them in an arrangement to test this out.

On Oct 20, 2004, Calalily from Deep South Coastal, TX (Zone 10a) wrote:

This plant is not as agressive as some of the other aristolochias in our area. The flower does not smell bad, but the leaves do have a weird smell if you crush them. Mine makes seedpods easily. Cuttings root best if taken in late summer-fall from semi-ripe wood.

On Jul 11, 2004, DawnRain from Bartow, FL wrote:

I have had Aristolochia elegans for 5 years. It is NOT invasive. It does not have a bad smell. Maybe if I stuck my nose inside the bloom? But really have never noticed any fragrance at all. Sadly it also has not set seed for me. Wish it would. It is a favorite here. Even though the caterpillars chew it, their work is not noticable unless you search and I love the butterflies. And yes, you could cut it to the ground without harming it.

On Sep 18, 2003, smokeymamma from Ponchatoula, LA wrote:

I have had my plant for 4 years. I had in too much shade and I never had a bloom. I moved it to partial shade and it has climbed up a 60-foot tower. It has bloom profusely last year and this year. I have never seen a seed pod on mine, and the blooms are over the roof level, so I don't get to enjoy the beautiful flower. I'm wondering if (when) I can cut it back to force it to flower lower to the ground, or if I would lose it.

On Oct 15, 2002, springmantis wrote:

These flowers DO have a fragrance, similiar to that of rotting meat.

On Oct 4, 2002, tiG from Newnan, GA (Zone 8a) wrote:

Beautiful flower that bloomed all summer.
Caution: Many Aristolochias contain the alkaloid aristolochine and other components - consider all of these plants highly toxic and avoid their use. Incorrect doses can cause vomiting, pain and even death.