Dutchman’s pipe
Aristolochia elegans, Fam. Aristolochiaceae
Fast growing perennial vine to 3m, wiry stems twine tightly in coils around any supporting structure. Older stems woody with corky bark.
| Weed Category: |
Restricted invasive plants Category 3 Plants declared invasive under the Biosecurity Act 2014, that are present in QLD.
Not to be distributed or disposed of.
|
| Weed: | Yes |
| Form or habit: | Vine (Climbing, Twining or groundcover) |
| Family: | Aristolochiaceae |
| Leaf: | Simple Alternate Alternate, glossy-green thin-textured, broadly heart shaped, 30-80mm long; thickened and twisted stalks, 15-50mm long. Crushed leaves have a very unpleasant smell. |
| Flower conspicuous: | Conspicuous |
| Flower colour: |
White, Yellow, Red, Purple |
| Flower description: | Reddish-purple with white and yellow markings, flared pipe shaped, around 80mm in diameter, borne singly in leaf axils. |
| Fruit conspicuous: | Conspicuous |
| Fruit colour: |
Brown |
| Fruit: | Dry |
| Fruit description: | Brown, oblong to ovoid ribbed capsules, 50-80mm long, opening from the base to release numerous flat brown seeds, 6mm long. |
| Habitat: | |
| Distribution | |
| Food source for: | |
| Toxicity: | Toxic to native animals |
| Origin: | South America |
| Notes: | Spread by: wind, garden waste. Invades/threats: creek banks and rainforest. Notes: introduced as garden ornamental. Naturalised populations recorded from many rainforest sites, primarily on river banks, throughout this region. Resembles natural food plants of birdwing butterflies but is fatal to the larvae. Category 3 restricted invasive plant under the Biosecurity Act 2014. It must not be given away, sold, or released into the environment without a permit. The Act requires everyone to take all reasonable and practical steps to minimise the risks associated with invasive plants and animals under their control. This is called a general biosecurity obligation (GBO). |
| Information sources: | Mackay Regional Pest Management Group (2018) Weeds of the Mackay Whitsunday Region Second Edition. |
