I love the strange and fascinating flowers of Aristolochia californica (California snakeroot, pipevi

I love the strange and fascinating flowers of Aristolochia californica (California snakeroot, pipevine, or birthwort). ‘Aristo’ is from the Greek for best or noblest and 'lochia’ for childbirth. I’ve seen various explanations for the name: some species resemble the correct fetal position in the womb and/or some species have been used medicinally in childbirth. A. californica certainly provide excellent birthing grounds for western swallowtail butterflies - the larvae of Battus philenor hirsuta feed on these plants. I didn’t spot any caterpillars, but I’m still holding out hope!
#Aristolochiaceae #Aristolochia #AristolochiaCalifornica #pipevine #botany #plants #nature #art #science #scientificillustration #botanicalillustration #illustration #plantart #naturejournal #naturejournaling #CalBG #nativeplants (at California Botanic Garden)
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