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Species Native to Missouri
Common Name: Dutchman's pipe
Type: Vine
Family: Aristolochiaceae
Zone: 5 to 8
Native Range: Southeastern and south-central United States
Height: 20 to 30 feet
Spread: 5 to 10 feet
Bloom Time: May to June
Bloom Description: Greenish yellow
Sun: Full sun to part shade
Water: Medium
Maintenance: Low
Flowers: Showy Flowers
Wildlife: Attracts Butterflies
Culture
Easily grown in average, medium, well-drained soil in full sun to part shade. Prefers rich, moist soils. Intolerant of dry soils. If needed, cut back in late winter to control growth. Grows well from seed.
Noteworthy Characteristics
This species of Dutchman's pipe is a woody, deciduous, twining vine which is native to Missouri where it typically occurs along streams and in moist woods primarily in counties south of the Missouri River. It is typically seen in the wild climbing trees or shrubs and can rapidly grow to 20-30' tall. Features large, heart-shaped, densely-overlapping leaves (4-8" long) which can quickly cover an arbor or trellis with deep green foliage. Commonly called Dutchman's pipe because the unusual, 2" long, yellowish-green, curved-trumpet flowers (each flaring at the calyx mouth to form three brownish-purple lobes) superficially resemble Dutch smoking pipes. Blooms in mid to late spring in the St. Louis area. Although the flowers make interesting conversation pieces, they are usually hidden by the dense foliage and are somewhat inconspicuous. Flowers give way to ribbed, tubular seed capsules (to 3" long) which mature to a grayish-brown in September. The leaves, young stems and flowers of this species are hairy (tomentose as the species name suggests). Very similar to A. macrophylla which is native to eastern North America, except A. macrophylla is basically glabrous (smooth). Aristolochia is a larval plant for the pipe vine swallowtail butterfly.
Plant of Merit
Unusual, curved-trumpet-shaped, yellowish-green flowers resembling Dutch smoking pipes bloom in spring on this Missouri native twining vine that grows to 20-30 feet long. Flowers are often hidden behind large, densely-overlapping, heart-shaped, green leaves. Flowers give way to pendant, grayish-brown seed capsules. This vine can quickly cover an arbor, trellis, sun porch, veranda, post or fence. It is a larval plant for the pipe vine swallowtail butterfly and makes an interesting addition to butterfly gardens.
Problems
No serious insect or disease problems.
Garden Uses
Can provide dense cover for sun porches, verandas, pillars, posts, trellises, arbors, fences or walls. Has been popularly used for many years to screen front porches. good selection for a butterfly garden.