long birthwort

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• long birthwort

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Endodeca sempervirens
• Aristolochia sempervirens subsp. altissima
• Aristolochia undata
• Aristolochia altissima

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

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

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad distribution across several regions in Europe. In Southwestern Europe, it can be found growing in France, Spain, and the island of Sardegna. Moving toward the Balkan Peninsula, its presence extends into Southeastern Europe. Specifically, the species is documented within the borders of Albania. Finally, its geographical range also includes the country of Greece.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Aristolochia sempervirens is characterized by its perennial nature and its classification under multiple life form categories. Specifically, it functions as a phanerophyte, a designation that reflects its ability to maintain its buds and reproductive structures well above the ground level, typically protected by woody or semi-woody stems. Within the spectrum of plant growth habits, it is further identified as a phanerophyte (Life_form_1) and displays characteristics consistent with a phanerophyte (Life_form_2), positioning it among the more structurally stable perennial climbers or shrubs. This growth strategy allows the plant to persist through varying seasonal conditions, utilizing its elevated stem structure to navigate its environment and facilitate reproductive success through its specialized flowering processes.

Life form :

phanerophyte

Morphology

The morphology of Aristolochia sempervirens is characterized by its growth habit as a non-woody, herbaceous perennial. It functions as an obligatory climber, utilizing surrounding structures for support rather than being self-supporting. This species is an independent organism, lacking any parasitic relationship with its host plants. In terms of its ecological habitat and substrate preference, it is classified as a terrestrial plant, distinguishing it from aquatic or semiaquatic species.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

obligatory

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

non-woody

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Aristolochia sempervirens has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include MUSKONE.

MUSKONE

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica