Aristolochia maxima

Jacq.

Dutchman's pipe

Aristolochiaceae Edible: Fruit 347 iNaturalist observations

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Summary

Aristolochia maxima is a plant species native to Central and South America, naturalized in southern Florida. Common names include Florida Dutchman's-pipe (US), canastilla (Guatemala), guaco (El Salvador), and tecolotillo (Mexico). In Florida, it grows in hammocks in the Everglades at elevations below 50 m (170 feet). Aristolochia maxima is a liana (woody vine) that can reach a height of 20 m (67 feet), twining over other plants. Leaves are truncate to cuneate at the base. Flowers are brownish-purple.

Description

A woody vine. It can grow 20 m long. The leaves large and rounded and are wedge shaped at the base. The flowers are brownish-purple. They can be 25 cm long. The fruit are seed capsules 12 cm long.

Edible Uses

The fruit are edible.

Distribution

It is a tropical plant. It is often on limestone soils.

Where It Grows

Central America, Costa Rica, Mexico, North America, USA,

Synonyms

Several

Also Known As

Batatillo, Canastilla, Guaco, Tecolotillo

References (1)

Kermath, B. M., et al, 2014, Food Plants in the Americas: A survey of the domesticated, cultivated and wild plants used for Human food in North, Central and South America and the Caribbean. On line draft. p 88