Aristolochia serpentaria

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Distribution

This plant, known as Aristolochia serpentaria, exhibits a specific geographical presence within the North-Central United States. Its distribution can be found throughout the state of Illinois. It also grows across the landscape of Iowa. Furthermore, the species is documented within the borders of Kansas. Finally, its range extends into Missouri and Oklahoma.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Aristolochia serpentaria is characterized by its status as a perennial herb, meaning it survives for multiple years through successive growing seasons. As a long-lived species, it establishes a stable presence within its ecosystem, often utilizing a creeping rhizomatous root system to spread and persist in the shaded, moist forest floors it inhabits. Its developmental cycle involves seasonal growth patterns where it emerges from its perennial structures to produce foliage and eventually complex, pipe-shaped flowers. This perennial lifecycle allows the plant to invest energy into robust underground storage organs, ensuring its ability to withstand unfavorable periods and emerge reliably each spring to continue its reproductive cycle.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Aristolochia serpentaria is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb and a perennial forb. It functions as an independent organism, neither acting as a parasite nor an epiphyte, as it maintains a strictly terrestrial existence. Structurally, the plant exhibits a climbing habit, acting as a self-supporting liana or vine that can navigate its environment through facultative and self-supporting climbing mechanisms.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

non-woody

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Aristolochia serpentaria has 5 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include ARISTOLOCHINE, Aristolactone, Aristolochic acid I, Borneol, EO.

ARISTOLOCHINE

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Aristolactone

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Aristolochic acid I

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Borneol

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EO

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Activities

Aristolochia serpentaria has 43 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include (-)-Chronotropic, (-)-Inotropic, Allelochemic, Analgesic, Antiacetylcholine.

(-)-Chronotropic

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(-)-Inotropic

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Allelochemic

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Analgesic

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Antiacetylcholine

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Antibacterial

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Antibronchitic

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Anticancer

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Antiescherichic

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Antifeedant

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