This listing is for a rooted cutting of Aristolochia macroura. They are currently grown in intermediate conditions in a standard potting mix. Photos are representative of the plants for sale.
Aristolochia, or Dutchman's pipevine are vining plants that grow in tropical and temperate climates. They produce unusual flowers that often resemble a cross between Nepenthes and Sarracenia and do employ the same pit-fall tactics to ensnare insects. These flowers, however, do not seek to kill or digest these pollinators, but instead trap them to ensure thorough pollination before the blossom wilts and they are released to ideally repeat the process with the next flower. The species we sell are tropical varieties from South American rainforests, and as such they enjoy similar growing conditions to Nepenthes, or can be grown outdoors seasonally. They do also share their growth habit as a "liana" or woody vine, and can be seen growing up and along your other vining Nepenthes as they decorate them with exotic blossoms!
Macroura produces some of the most bizarre and smelliest flowers of the species in our care. Anticipate hoards of flies to be attracted to these blossoms, and be mindful that the unpleasant scent IS pungent. This species seems to primarily bloom during the longest days of summer, and is otherwise an evergreen species that resembles English ivy.
This species DOES appear to be a viable host plant for Pipevine Swallowtails in our experiments, though it did not seem to be favorable to the larva compared to other species.
