Aristolochia macrophylla - Dutchman’s pipe, or pipevine

 

About halfway along the path down Pähkinärinne (Hazelnut Slope) there is a Dutchman’s pipe vine climbing to over 10 metres up the trunk of a pine tree, the only vine at Mustila which brings to mind the rope-like lianas of the tropics.

The pipevine is a hardy climber which thrives in shade, and is quite happy climbing walls, gateposts or tree trunks. After a slow start it climbs rapidly to several metres.

The leaves are large, dark green and heart-shaped. They flush late in spring and sometimes fall to frosts in autumn before taking on full colour. The unusual pipe-shaped flowers and small fruit often remain unnoticed among the foliage.

 

Ryhmittely
Lehtipuut ja -pensaat
aristolochia_macrophyllum_siemen_jreinikainen.jpg
Location