Pictorial guide to the flora of the British Isles

Home ⟩ Pictorial Guide ⟩ Aristolochiaceae ⟩ Aristolochia clematitis / birthwort

Aristolochia clematitis L.

birthwort (Aristolochiaceae)

 SpreadBias within British IslesDirection of bias
LocalVery strong tendencySE
Plant Atlas 2020
BSBI Distribution Map

Aristolochia clematitis is very uncommon in the wild in the British Isles, mostly persisting in places where it was previously cultivated such as nunneries; nuns used the plant to prevent or abort unwanted pregnancies.

Oxford (VC23: Oxfordshire); 2015-06-11

 birthwort / Aristolochia clematitis: _Aristolochia clematitis_ is very uncommon in the wild in the British Isles, mostly persisting in places where it was previously cultivated such as nunneries; nuns used the plant to prevent or abort unwanted pregnancies.

Up to 8 flowers can emerge from a single stem node in Aristolochia clematitis.

Oxford (VC23: Oxfordshire); 2015-06-11

 birthwort / Aristolochia clematitis: Up to 8 flowers can emerge from a single stem node in _Aristolochia clematitis_.

All images copyright © Christopher J. Dixon unless otherwise indicated.

L-R: Bidens tripartita, Melilotus officinalis, Mimulus guttatus, Thalictrum flavum, Ranunculus peltatus, Anchusa arvensis, Malva alcea, Lolium perenne