Additional notes (click to expand)

Medicinal

Aristolochia serpentaria Birthwort. Rappahannock used a poultice of crushed roots, Alabamas crushed leaves, for snakebite. Choctaw for stomach pain; Cherokee as abortifacient, breast pain, headache and rheumatism.
Austin, Daniel, F. (2004) Florida Ethnobotany. CRC Press.

Banned.

Toxicity

Can cause irritation to the GI tract and kidneys, coma, respiratory failure and death. Aristolochic acid is carcinogenic and nephrotoxic. Banned substance in herbal medicine worldwide.

Geographical distribution

  • Northern America, Eastern Canada
  • Northern America, Northeastern U.S.A.
  • Northern America, Southeastern U.S.A.

Aristolochia macrophylla Lam.

Family: ARISTOLOCHIACEAE
Genus: Aristolochia
Species: macrophylla Lam.
Common names: Dutchman's-pipe
Distribution summary: North America
Habit: Perennial
Hardiness: H5 - Hardy; cold winter
Habitat: Rich, moist woods & streamsides
Garden status: Currently grown
Garden location: North America (A)
Flowering months: June, July, August
Reason for growing: Medicinal, toxic


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