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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.
Information displayed on this page about Aristolochia gigantea is based on the research conducted about it in our library and from reliable online resources. We also note those observations we have made of this plant as it grows in the nursery's garden and in other gardens, as well how crops have performed in our nursery field. We will incorporate comments we receive from others, and welcome to hear from anyone who may have additional information, particularly if they share any cultural information that would aid others in growing it.
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