Practical
Plants

Aristolochia tomentosa

Dutchman's Pipe

a perennial member of the Aristolochia genus in the family Aristolochiaceae.

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Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
perennial
Growth rate
vigorous
Height
10 m
Spread
1 m
Fertility
Flies
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Flies

Uses

Toxicity

Toxicity warning. The historical record reports a hazard for this plant. Do not use it to decide which parts are safe to eat or use medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

We have no specific details for this species but most members of this genus have poisonous roots and stems[4]. The plant contains aristolochic acid, this has received rather mixed reports on its toxicity. According to one report aristolochic acid stimulates white blood cell activity and speeds the healing of wounds, but is also carcinogenic and damaging to the kidneys[13]. Another report says that it is an active antitumour agent but is too toxic for clinical use[10]. Another report says that aristolochic acid has anti-cancer properties and can be used in conjunction with chemotherapy and radiotherapy and that it also increases the cellular immunity and phagocytosis function of the phagocytic cells[3].

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

This species has medicinal activity that is similar to but weaker than A. serpentaria[11]. - these activities are listed below[K]. The Virginia snakeroot is attracting increasing interest for its medicinal virtues and as a result is becoming uncommon in the wild. It merits consideration for cultivation in forest areas[11]. It is used in a number of proprietary medicines for treating skin, circulatory and kidney disorders[12]. The plant contains aristolochic acid which, whilst stimulating white blood cell activity and speeding the healing of wounds, is also carcinogenic and damaging to the kidneys[13]. The root is harvested in the autumn and dried for later use[12]. The root is antidote, anti-inflammatory, bitter tonic, diaphoretic, diuretic and stimulant[1][5][16][8][17][6]. Traditionally it was chewed in minute doses or used as a weak tea to promote sweating, stimulate the appetite and promote expectoration[16][11]. The native North Americans considered it to have analgesic properties and used an infusion internally to treat rheumatism, pain - but especially sharp pains in the breast, and as a wash for headaches[14]. This plant should be used with caution, it is irritating in large doses and can cause nausea, griping pains in the bowels etc[16][8][11]. It should only be used internally under the supervision of a qualified practitioner[12]. The bruised root is placed in hollow teeth for treating toothache[7]. An extract of the root can be drunk to relieve stomach pains[7]. The boiled root, or a decoction of the whole plant, can be used to treat fevers[9]. The chewed root or crushed leaves was applied to snakebites[7][9]. This species was the most popular snakebite remedy in N. America[9]. It has also been applied externally to slow-healing wounds and in the treatment of pleurisy[12].

Product or use
Antidote
Product or use
Bitter
Product or use
Diaphoretic
Product or use
Expectorant
Product or use
Febrifuge
Product or use
Odontalgic
Product or use
Stimulant
Product or use
Tonic

Environment

Range
South-eastern N. America - North Carolina too Florida, west to Texas, Kansas and Illinois.
Habitat
Moist woods[6] along rich river banks[11]. Thickets and wods, in sandy and silty soils[15].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 8+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline, very alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - best sown in a greenhouse as soon as it is ripe in the autumn. Pre-soak stored seed for 48 hours in hand-hot water and surface sow in a greenhouse[2]. Germination usually takes place within 1 - 3 months at 20°c[2]. Stored seed germinates better if it is given 3 months cold stratification at 5°c[6]. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant out in late spring or early summer after the last expected frosts. Division in autumn[6]. Root cuttings in winter[6].

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Prefers a well-drained loamy soil, rich in organic matter, in sun or semi-shade[1][6], but succeeds in ordinary garden soil[2]. Plants are hardy to at least -10°c[6]. A fast-growing climbing plant, attaching itself by means of twining around other plants, it has been recommended for covering pergolas[6]. Most species in this genus have malodorous flowers that are pollinated by flies[6].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  2. Rice. G. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 2. Thompson and Morgan. 1988-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3

  3. Yeung. Him-Che. Handbook of Chinese Herbs and Formulas. Institute of Chinese Medicine, Los Angeles 1985-00-00

    ↩

  4. Reid. B. E. Famine Foods of the Chiu-Huang Pen-ts'ao. Taipei. Southern Materials Centre 1977-00-00

    ↩

  5. Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications 1972-00-00 ISBN 0-486-20459-6

    ↩

  6. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7↩8↩9

  7. Coffey. T. The History and Folklore of North American Wild Flowers. Facts on File. 1993-00-00 ISBN 0-8160-2624-6

    ↩1↩2↩3

  8. Lust. J. The Herb Book. Bantam books 1983-00-00 ISBN 0-553-23827-2

    ↩1↩2

  9. Weiner. M. A. Earth Medicine, Earth Food. Ballantine Books 1980-00-00 ISBN 0-449-90589-6

    ↩1↩2↩3

  10. Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. 1985-00-00 ISBN 0-917256-20-4

    ↩

  11. Foster. S. & Duke. J. A. A Field Guide to Medicinal Plants. Eastern and Central N. America. Houghton Mifflin Co. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0395467225

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  12. Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995-00-00 ISBN 0-7513-020-31

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  13. Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London 1996-00-00 ISBN 9-780751-303148

    ↩1↩2

  14. Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. 1998-00-00 ISBN 0-88192-453-9

    ↩

  15. Diggs, Jnr. G.M.; Lipscomb. B. L. & O'Kennon. R. J Illustrated Flora of North Central Texas Botanical Research Institute, Texas. 1999-00-00 http://artemis.austincollege.edu/acad/bio/gdiggs/NCTXpdf.htm

    ↩

  16. Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9

    ↩1↩2↩3

  17. Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959-00-00

    ↩

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