The Brazilian Dutchman’s Pipe (Aristolochia gigantea) is easily one of the most impressive flowers I’ve ever seen. It is really as huge as it looks in the picture, and just completely gorgeous. Plus, it has heart shaped leaves. 😍
Beyond its beauty there are some signs that this plant could be a source of some interesting phytochemicals. First, the name of the genus is “Aristolocia” which comes from a combination of two Greek words: ‘aristos’, meaning ‘best’, and ‘locheia’, meaning ‘childbirth’. This is due to both the look and old traditional uses of the plant, as the flower resembles a human fetus (I think more when they are emerging), and a European species that was used for pain or infections of childbirth.
In Brazil this plant is used in traditional medicine for a number of uses, including having to do with women’s health and childbirth, joint pain, snakebite, intestinal pain, eczema and weight loss. Also, related species are also commonly reported to have traditional medicine uses.
This plant is reportedly a “death sentence for pipevine swallowtail butterflies” (and extremely toxic to humans). Apparently, the butterfly confuses it with its native host Aristolochia, lays its eggs on the plant, and the larvae end up dying because they cannot survive on its toxic foliage.
Beyond some studies on the nephrotoxicity and carcinogenicity of the Aristolochic acids it contains, however, there have been few studies yet to confirm traditional uses or interesting chemistry of this plant. Aristolochic acid is present in many of the Aristolochia species, which is a known antitumor agent, but yet has proven too toxic for clinical use.
One amazing feature about Brazilian Dutchman’s Pipe is its strategy to ensure pollination. It is known as one of the ‘trap flowers’ of the world. The Brazilian Dutchman’s Pipe flowers lure insects—primarily flies—through exuding a strong scent. As the flies (who are dusted from other flowers) enter the calyx of the flower, they get trapped by hairs that are pointed downward along the tube. Once the fly is dusted with new pollen the hairs relax and let the fly escape and visit other flowers. Some of these pollination strategies are so complex it makes me wonder how they ever evolved.
Photo by Kerry Hughes
#UsefulPlants #MedicinalPlants #Ethnopharm #Ethnobotany #Brazil #flowers #pollination.
*This content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice or to take the place of such advice or treatment from a personal physician.