The Dutchmans's Pipe plant - Aristolochia - is a member of the Birthwort family.

It is a climbing plant with soft green heart-shaped leaves.

It is the flowers, that emerge from the base of the leaves in the late summer, that give the plant its name due to their similarity to the 'smoking' type of pipe.

Dutchman's Pipe plants grow very quickly in the right conditions and are often grown because they provide a useful quick-screening plant.

The plant is tolerant of a wide range of conditions and soils - it prefers partial shade but will grow in full sun.

An occasional dose of fertiliser will help, and the Dutchman's pipe doesn't like completely dry soil.

Useful note: the Dutchman's Pipe plant has an 'unusual' smell that some people don't like!

Dutchmans Pipe
photo copyright

Useless note: Birthwort was once given to women in labor to expel the placenta, but since it contains a poisonous acid, it sometimes resulted in the death of the poor mother.

 

Buy Bamboo Now!!

You can order your black bamboo - and a great selection of other bamboos and exotic plants from a leading plant supplier at great prices:

 

Click here to visit 'Crocus' for a great selection of bamboo plants