Birthwort
Aristolochia clematitis
Aristolochiaceae
Growth habit
Herbaceous
Perennation
Long-lived polycarpic perennial
Native distribution
Europe to the Caucasus; Naturalized in U.K. and N. America
Biocultural value
According to the Doctrine of Signatures, the flower resembling a fetus or serpent indicated its application for both childbirth and snakebites.
Location
Source of plant
Ruth Nix
Description
Rhizomatous, widely creeping herbaceous perennial; stems unbranched, erect, reaching 1 m in height. Leaves broadly cordate, membranous, obtuse at the apex, basally deeply cordate. Flowers dull yellow-green, held in congested axillary fascicles on young stems in summer.
USDA Hardiness Zone
5
Special characteristics
medicinal/pharmaceutical