swanflower

Aristolochia erecta, or swanflower, is a tiny yet mighty perennial wildflower with a pipevine character, native to Mexico and Texas.

It features narrow leaves and curvaceous brown-purple flowers which outstretch into long, spotted, tubular orchid-resembling shapes with flat, dangling ends. These blooms typically debut from late spring through summer — though they are observed thriving year-round at the Mexico/Texas border. After flowering, the plant releases numerous flat, fragile, triangular seeds from oval capsules.The tuberous taproot system has been observed (amidst transplantation of the plant to an undisturbed habitat) to extend about a foot into the ground.

Aristolochia erecta is the primary food source and home for the Pipevine Swallowtail butterflies, whose livelihood depend on its undisturbed growth. Their small orange eggs are laid directly on it whereafter hatched caterpillars feed on the entire plant: leaves, stem, and even seed pods! The plant’s sprawling form helps carefully shelter the Pipevine Swallowtail young where they may live among other diverse, supportive flora. It’s typically observed growing in non-native lawn grasses, limestone-rich wildlife areas, or along riverbanks, slopes, and chaparrals up to about 500 meters in elevation.