Aristolochia serpentaria
Aristolochia erecta
Virginia snakeroot
swanflower
blade lanceolate to ovate, 5-15 × 1-5 cm, base truncate to cordate, sinus depth 0-1.5 cm, apex acute to acuminate;
surfaces abaxially glabrous or hispid;
venation pinnate.
blade linear-lanceolate, 10-15 × 0.5-1 cm, base cuneate to attenuate, apex acuminate;
surfaces abaxially glabrous to puberulent;
venation palmate-pinnate.
from base of stem, an additional flower in axil of stem leaf, racemes;
peduncle bracteolate, to 1.5 cm;
bracteoles lanceolate, to 3 mm.
on new growth, axillary, solitary flowers;
peduncle bracteolate, 1-4 cm;
bracteoles triangular to lanceolate, to 12 mm.
calyx brown-purple, bent;
utricle pendent, pear-shaped to ovoid, 0.5-5 cm;
syrinx present, ringlike, 1 mm, oblique;
tube bent, cylindric, 1 cm;
annulus smooth;
limb purplish brown, 3-lobed, lobes 0.5 × 0.5 cm, glabrous;
gynostemium 3-lobed, globose to crown-shaped, 1.5 mm;
anthers 6;
ovary 3-locular, to 1.5 cm.
calyx brown-purple, curved;
utricle angled upward, ovoid to obconic, 1.5 × 0.8 cm;
syrinx present, broad and shallow, 1.5 mm;
tube curved upward, cylindric, 1-3 × 0.4 cm;
annulus absent;
limb purple, 1-lobed, lobe strap-shaped, 8 × 1 cm, papillate;
gynostemium 5-lobed, cylindric, 5-10 mm;
anthers 5;
ovary 5-locular, 1-4 cm.
globose, 0.8-2 × 1-2 cm, dehiscence basipetal;
valves 6;
septa absent.
ovoid, 2.5 × 1-3 cm, dehiscence basipetal;
valves 5;
septa entire, not attached to valves.
rounded, ovate, 0.5 × 0.4 cm.
flat, triangular, 0.5 × 0.5 cm.
= 28.
Aristolochia serpentaria
Aristolochia erecta
Inflorescences of Aristolochia serpentaria often bear closed flowers that appear to be cleistogamous. Leaf shape varies greatly between populations, especially with regard to leaf width and size of basal lobes. This variability is especially interesting because eastern pipe-vine swallowtail butterflies, Battus philenor philenor (Linnaeus), use leaf shape as a search image when looking for Aristolochia leaves on which to lay their eggs.
The dried rhizome, called Virginia snakeroot or serpentary, is a popular herbal tonic. In small doses, it is a gastric stimulant and diuretic. Large doses can cause violent gastric distress and respiratory paralysis (J. A. Duke 1985). The rhizome contains aristolochic acid and trimethyl amine, both potential carcinogens.
Several Native American tribes used Aristolochia serpentaria for diverse medicinal purposes, including treatment of rheumatism, various pains, obstructions, worms, toothaches, sore throats, fever, sore noses, and colds, as a tonic, and mixed with saliva for snake bites (D. E. Moerman 1986).
(Discussion copyrighted by Flora of North America; reprinted with permission.)
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