Aristolochia paecilantha

Aristolochia paecilantha
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Magnoliids
Order:	Piperales
Family:	Aristolochiaceae
Genus:	Aristolochia
Species:	A. paecilantha
Binomial name
Aristolochia paecilantha Boiss.
Synonyms[1]
Aristolochia scabridula Boiss.

Aristolochia delavayi, known as the party-colored birthwort, is a species of flowering plant in the family Aristolochiaceae.

Description

Perennial. Stems striate, prostrate or ascending. Leaves petiolate, broadly cordate at base; limb triangular. Flowers reaching up to 10 cm long; peduncle bending towards the two-thirds. Ovary striate. pubescent. Tube recurved. Strip very dilated, with two cordate and very developed auricles. Outer. part greenish or reddish, puberulent. Inner part glabrous; background brightmyellow overcharged with blackish purple spots.

Flowering

The plant flowers in April–May.

Habitat

More or less rocky places, rather shady.

Distribution

Lower and middle mountains, Hermon.

Geographic area

It is endemic to Syria, Lebanon and Palestine.

The spots on the bright yellow background of the large flowers of this birthwort are at the origin of its specific name which comes from the Greek poikilos, spotted, and anthos, flower.[2]

References

1. "Aristolochia paecilantha Boiss". Plants of the World Online. The Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. n.d. Retrieved August 26, 2020.
2. Mustapha Nehmeh, Wild Flowers Of Lebanon, National Council For Scientific Research,1978,page164.

• Georges Tohme& Henriette Tohme, IIIustrated Flora of Lebanon, National Council For Scientific Research, Second Edition 2014.