As happens occasionally in the greenhouse, I am prompted to look up when I find something that has fallen. Such was the case with this plant. I took the “bloom” to Karen and she was happy to tell me about this plant. With thanks to Dr. Dan Nickrent, this is Aristolochia gigantea (family Aristolochiaceae).
The structure with what appear to be red veins will open as the [very large] petals. The reproductive parts are in the uniformly-green colored structure just behind what will open as the petals. There is a connective “tube” through which the pollenators will have to travel and these will be flies. While Pipevine Swallowtail butterflies (Battus philenor) derive their name from the caterpillars’ food source plants, which are in the same genus as this species, this particular species is native to Brazil and Battus philenor only goes as far south as Central America.
Retired economics professor (“dismal scientist”). Married 40+ years to the love of my life; we have two grown daughters, both married, two granddaughters and a...
