Aristolochia kaempferi

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Hocquartia kaempferi
• Isotrema kaempferi

Sources: Wikidata

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. It is further classified under the subclass Magnoliidae in the order Piperales, falling into the family Aristolochiaceae. Ultimately, its taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Aristolochia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant, known scientifically as Aristolochia kaempferi, possesses a specific range within East Asia. Its primary distribution includes the regions of China South-Central. Furthermore, it can be found naturally growing across various parts of Japan. These specific locations define the core habitats where the species thrives. Consequently, its geographical presence is concentrated within these particular Asian territories.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Aristolochia kaempferi is characterized by a broad vertical distribution across diverse mountainous and lowland terrains, allowing it to occupy a wide variety of habitats. This species thrives across an expansive altitudinal gradient, spanning from low-lying areas at an elevation of 150 m AMSL up to high-altitude environments reaching a maximum of 2900 m AMSL. This extensive elevational range suggests a high degree of ecological plasticity, enabling the plant to adapt to varying temperature regimes, moisture levels, and atmospheric pressures. Such adaptability allows it to persist in both temperate and subtropical montane ecosystems, where it plays a role in the local flora by occupying specific niches within the forest understory or edge habitats across its significant altitudinal spectrum.

Elevational range max:

2900 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

150 m AMSL

Morphology

The morphology of Aristolochia kaempferi is characterized by its growth form, which is classified as a herb, typically manifesting as a perennial climbing vine rather than a tree. Its woodiness is considered variable, as the stems can exhibit a semi-woody nature as they mature and ascend through surrounding vegetation. The plant features large, cordate (heart-shaped) leaves with smooth margins and prominent venation, which serve as a primary visual identifier. The inflorescence is distinctive, producing tubular, somewhat fleshy flowers that often emerge from the leaf axils, displaying a unique shape designed for specific insect pollination.

Growth form :

tree

Woodiness :

variable

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Aristolochia kaempferi has 2 reported plant parts identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include root, stem.

Root

1. Biological & pharmaceutical bulletin

Stem

1. Biological & pharmaceutical bulletin

Chemicals

Aristolochia kaempferi has 4 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Aristofolin E, Aristoliukine C, Aristolochic acid Ia methyl ester, Madolin P.

Aristofolin E

1. Biological & pharmaceutical bulletin

Aristoliukine C

1. Biological & pharmaceutical bulletin

Aristolochic acid Ia methyl ester

1. Biological & pharmaceutical bulletin

Madolin P

1. Biological & pharmaceutical bulletin