Aristolochia macrophylla

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.