Plant species of Tumamoc Hill

Tumamoc has more than 300 species of plants. Thanks to the artistry, hard work and generosity of T. Beth Kinsey, you can already see a few of them in this part of the website.

The species list has all our species but many do not yet have their own webpage. We are working to include them, too. (Check the What's new? page for notice of additions.)

Meanwhile, visit Beth's own site Fireflyforest where you will find other plants of southern Arizona, as well as many from Hawaii. And please do let Beth know how much you appreciate her work!

Aristolochia watsonii – Watson's Dutchman's Pipe

Aristolochia watsonii - Watson's Dutchman's Pipe, Southwestern Pipevine (flower)

Aristolochia watsonii - Watson's Dutchman's Pipe, Southwestern Pipevine (flower bud and leaf)

Aristolochia watsonii - Watson's Dutchman's Pipe, Southwestern Pipevine (fruit)

Aristolochia watsonii - Watson's Dutchman's Pipe, Southwestern Pipevine (green fruit)

Plant Name

Scientific Name: Aristolochia watsonii

Common Names: Watson's Dutchman's Pipe, Southwestern Pipevine

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial

Growth Habit: Vine, Herb/Forb

Arizona Native Status: Native

Habitat: Desert, Upland, Riparian

Flower Color: Green and dark brown

Flowering Season: Spring (late), Summer, Fall (early)

Height: Trailing to 3 feet (91 cm) long

Description: The flowers are tubular, 1 1/4 inches (3.2 cm) long, recurved, and have an elongated brown mouth and a green, hairy throat with brown spots. The leaves are long, narrow, arrow-shaped, and green to brownish in color. The fruit is plump, green, and ribbed.

Special Characteristics

Butterfly Plant – It is the food plant for Pipevine Swallowtail (Battus philenor) caterpillars. These caterpillars will eat both the leaves and the fruit.

Poisonous – These plants are poisonous and contain the toxic aristolochic acid.

Classification

Kingdom: Plantae Plants
Subkingdom: Tracheobionta Vascular plants
Superdivision: Spermatophyta Seed plants
Division: Magnoliophyta Plants
Class: Magnoliopsida Dicotyledons
Subclass: Magnoliidae
Order: Aristolochiales
Family: Aristolochiaceae – Birthwort family
Genus: Aristolochia L. – dutchman's pipe
Species: Aristolochia watsonii Woot. & Standl. – Watson's dutchman's pipe

RETURN TO SPECIES LIST

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 Tumamoc is managed by the University of Arizona College of Science and Pima County, Arizona.