Family: Aristolochiaceae
Author: L.
Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 962 (1753)
Year: 1753
Status: accepted
Rank: species
Genus: Aristolochia
Vegetable: False
Observations: SC. & S. Europe
Description
Birthwort, scientifically known as Aristolochia rotunda, is a perennial plant primarily found in the scrublands and open woodlands of Southern and Central Europe. Characterized by its intriguing tubular flowers and heart-shaped leaves, this species is part of the Aristolochiaceae family, a group of plants often noted for their unusual flower shapes and medicinal properties.
First described by the eminent botanist Carl Linnaeus in his seminal work “Species Plantarum” in 1753, Birthwort has been a subject of interest for botanists and herbalists alike for centuries. Its flowers, which bloom in early summer, are typically yellow-green with a distinctive piped structure that has earned the genus its name, Aristolochia, derived from the Greek words ‘aristos’ meaning best and ‘lochia’ referring to childbirth – a nod to its historical use in aiding labor.
Despite its previous applications in traditional medicine, modern research has raised concerns over the safety of using Birthwort due to the presence of aristolochic acids, compounds found to be nephrotoxic and carcinogenic. Consequently, the culinary and medicinal use of Birthwort has all but ceased in contemporary practice.
In terms of its ecological role, Aristolochia rotunda contributes to the biodiversity of its native habitats by providing a food source for specific species of butterflies, notably the Pipevine Swallowtail, whose larvae feed on the leaves of this plant. This intricate relationship underscores the importance of Birthwort in maintaining ecological balance.
Preserving this unique plant requires ongoing conservation efforts, as its natural habitats face threats from agricultural expansion and urban development. Potential efforts to conserve Birthwort and its relatives in the Aristolochiaceae family could involve habitat protection, cultivation in botanical gardens, and raising awareness about the species’ ecological significance.
In summary, Birthwort (Aristolochia rotunda) boasts a rich history and plays a specialized role in nature. While it is no longer used as a medicinal herb due to safety concerns, its preservation remains crucial for ecological and botanical research.
Common Names
Eng: smearwort, birthwort, round-leaved birthwort, smear wort
Swe: rund hålrot
Deu: rundblättrige osterluzei
Cym: yr esgorlys lleiaf
En: Birthwort, Smearwort, Round-Leaved Birthwort, Smear Wort, Snakeroot
Ar: زراوند مدحرج
Az: Girdə zəravənd
Bg: Кръглолистна вълча ягода
Ca: Aristoloquia rodona, Aristolòquia rodona, Carbassa pudent
Zh: 圆叶马兜铃
Cs: Podražec okrouhlý
Nl: Smearwort
Fi: Sepopiippuköynnös
Fr: Aristoloche à feuilles rondes, Aristoloche arrondie
De: Rundblättrige Osterluzei
It: Aristolochia rotonda
Pl: Kokornak okrągłolistny
Es: Aristoloquia hembra, Aristoloquia redonda
Sv: Rund hålrot
Zh-tw: 圓葉馬兜铃
Cy: Yr esgorlys lleiaf
Synonyms
Distribution
- Albania (native)
- Bulgaria (native)
- Corse (native)
- France (native)
- Greece (native)
- Italy (native)
- Sardegna (native)
- Sicilia (native)
- Spain (native)
- Switzerland (native)
- Turkey-in-Europe (native)
- Yugoslavia (native)
- Great Britain (introduced)
Additional Images
Flower
Taken Apr 10, 2017 by viviana (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 30, 2020 by Nicodemo Passalacqua (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 28, 2021 by beurny (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 28, 2021 by beurny (cc-by-sa)
Taken Mar 31, 2020 by Nicolas Lescureux (cc-by-sa)
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
Fruit
Taken May 24, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 24, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 24, 2018 by bas yves (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 29, 2020 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 29, 2020 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)
Leaf
Taken May 25, 2016 by Jean-Michel Faton (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 28, 2021 by beurny (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 16, 2021 by Luigi Meneghetti (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 2, 2021 by Lenoir Julien (cc-by-sa)
Taken Mar 2, 2020 by Biophilia Lovers (cc-by-sa)
Habit
Taken May 21, 2022 by Hugo SANTACREU (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 6, 2021 by Serge Fournier (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 6, 2019 by Hugo SANTACREU (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 28, 2021 by beurny (cc-by-sa)
Taken Mar 2, 2020 by Biophilia Lovers (cc-by-sa)
Bark
Taken Mar 18, 2017 by Pedro Salgadinho (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 15, 2012 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)
Taken Apr 15, 2012 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)
Taken May 15, 2015 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)
Taken May 9, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Sylvain PIRY (cc-by-sa)
Other
Taken May 3, 2005 by Tela Botanica − Christophe BERNIER (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 5, 2013 by Tela Botanica − Bernard Andrieu (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 26, 2013 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 26, 2013 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 17, 2020 by Milo Gatti (cc-by-sa)
Sources
- WFO (No URL)
- IPNI (No URL)
- GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2874019)
- POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:93291-1)
- PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Aristolochia rotunda L.)
Specifications
Growth
Ph maximum: 7.5
Ph minimum: 7.0
Light: 8
Atmospheric humidity: 4
Bloom months: [‘apr’, ‘may’, ‘jun’]
Soil nutriments: 5