Sunday, November 30, 2008

Aristolochia peruviana - Rare Flower


Aristolochia
Aristolochia peruviana
(a-ris-toh-LOH-kee-uh) (per-u-vee-AN-uh)

This was a very unusual flowering vine. The colors were outstanding and the vine itself was not rampant like some Aristolochia can be. This plant had a much more delicate appearance. There many species of Aristolochia and this page is good photo reference for them: Aristolochia Species Photos.

You can see some of them are pretty outrageous. This was the first year I have grown the more common Giant Dutchman's Pipe (Aristolochia gigantea) and it was a lot of fun to have in the garden. It bloomed off and on all season with minimal care. Here is a link to some general cultural practices for Aristolochia

Right before the first frost we wrenched the Dutchman's Pipe out its pot and put in the greenhouse. It was forgotten (oops) for a couple of weeks but it survived and I potted it up on Friday. We are also growing the hardy Dutchman’s Pipe, Aristolochia durior, but the flowers are much less showy.

Most catalogs describe Aristolochia peruviana (didn’t see a common name) as rare and unusual. This picture was shot at Wave Hill in the Bronx. It was on the ‘wet’ side of the Conservatory. The building has a dry wing where the Cactus and Succulent Collection are, a middle room that a lot of different seasonal flowering plants are featured and a humid side. Although a little small by normal Conservatory standards they make it up in the plants they do have, It is a wonderful collection of plants.

This is pretty much what the season looks like around here only this picture has more color.


For the first time I am participating in
Today’s Flowers . It starts at 19:00 GMT on Sunday.

18 comments:

MaryAnn Ashley said...

What an interesting vine indeed! I bet it's a surprise to see the yellow when it shows up.

Maybe you already know, but San Diego in February will be ideal. Not crowded & great weather.

Dar's Foto Faze said...

How unusual. Thank you for sharing.

Rune Eide said...

Welcome to the club - and I have never seen anything like it!

Anonymous said...

I Did not know this flower!
Very beautiful!

Meire

Day4plus said...

A very surprising flower. Not your typical Dutchmans Pipe. Welcome to Todays Flowers. MB

Arija said...

A quite startling flower with incredible coloration. Great photo.

DeniseinVA said...

Wow, so very interesting. Great photos and an equally great description of them. I will follow the links you posted too. Thank you for sharing them.

arleena said...

Exciting and interesting flowers.

Gill - That British Woman said...

I have never seen anything like that before, very unusual.

Gill in Canada

♥ Denise BC ♥ said...

Post wonderful, flowers are quite exotic and beautiful in form and color. I thank you for sharing.
hugs, Denise

ChrissyM said...

Fabulous photos! That yellow is so vibrant. Very pretty!

The Good Life in Virginia said...

interesting flower...and the history/description of it even more so. thank you for sharing.

Unknown said...

Very unusual and interesting as well.

msdewberry said...

This is what I love about Today's Flowers, I get to see flowers I have never seen before. Beautiful pictures!!

i beati said...

rare and pretty sandy

Gemma Wiseman said...

What an unusual vine! It is almost difficult to separate flower from leaf! Absolutely fascinating!

Anonymous said...

Very interesting flower! Thanks for sharing!

Anonymous said...

thats an awesome flower! I love it. And if you like exotic flowers than i would recomend takinging a look at the 'Bird of Paradise' flower. It really is beautiful!