Additional notes (click to expand)
Toxicity
Contains aristolochic acid I and II in the Nitrophenanthrene carboxylic acid group. It is both genotoxic and carcinogenic. Carcinogenic in mice, rats and rabbits. Urothelial cancers develop in patients with aristolochic acid nephropathy. They are genotoxic mutagens that form DNA-adducts.
van den Berg, S.J.P.L., Restani, et al., P.. (2011). Levels of Genotoxic and Carcinogenic Compounds in Plant Food Supplements and Associated Risk Assessment. Food and Nutrition Science 2: 989-1010.
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Geographical distribution
- Northern America, Southwestern U.S.A., California
Aristolochia californica
Family: ARISTOLOCHIACEAEGenus: Aristolochia
Species: californica
Common names: California snakeroot
Habit: Perennial
Hardiness: H5 - Hardy; cold winter
Garden status: Not currently grown