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| Category: Vine |
| Family: Aristolochiaceae (Birthworts) |
| Origin: Panama (North America) |
| Evergreen: Yes |
| Flower Color: Maroon |
| Bloomtime: Summer/Fall |
| Synonyms: [Aristolochia clypeata] |
| Height: Climbing (Vine) |
| Width: Spreading |
| Exposure: Sun or Shade |
| Deer Tolerant: Yes |
| Irrigation (H2O Info): Medium Water Needs |
| Winter Hardiness: 30-32° F |
| May be Poisonous (More Info): Yes |
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Aristolochia gigantea (Pelican Flower) - Fast growing vine that can grow 15-20 ft tall with support. It has deeply cordate triangular leaves and large, oddly-shaped flowers that are really petal-less calyces that open to 6" wide by nearly a foot tall with a purple-maroon backing that is netted with pink etching-like marks along veins and has a yellow-orange throat. Plant in sunny spot with summer shade. Hardy to about 30-32 degrees F or for use in a cool conservatory. A real conversation piece. Not as large flowered as A. grandiflora and with flowers that have more of lemony scent rather than the fetid odor that makes A. grandiflora difficult to tolerate. It is native to subtropical and tropical humid forests from Central America (Costa Rica, El Salvador, Panama) south to Brazil. The name for the genus comes from the Greek words 'aristos' meaning "best" and 'locheia' meaning "childbirth" which is thought to be a references to the flower's structure resemblance to a human fetus. The specific epithet is Latin meaning "like that of the giants", referring to this vine's large flowers. This plant is also known as the Giant Dutchman's Pipe, a reference to the shape of the flowers resembling a Meershaun smoking pipes such as were once used in Europe.
The information displayed on this page is based on research conducted about this plant in our library and from reliable online sources. We also consider observations that we have made of it growing in the nursery's garden and in other gardens, as well how it has performed in our crops out in the nursery field. We will incorporate comments that we receive from others as well, and welcome hear from anyone who may have additional information, particularly if they have knowledge of cultural information we do not mention that would aid others in growing Aristolochia gigantea.
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