Aristolochia ringens (Dutchman’s pipe)

Identity

Preferred Scientific Name

• Aristolochia ringens Vahl

Preferred Common Name

• Dutchman’s pipe

Other Scientific Names

• Aristolochia globiflora Mutis
• Aristolochia grandiflora sensu Vahl
• Aristolochia turbacensis Kunth
• Howardia ringens (Vahl) Klotzsch

International Common Names

• English: gaping Dutchman's pipe

Local Common Names

• Colombia: gallitos; guaco
• Cuba: flor de pato; gallito; patico
• Dominican Republic: gallito; patico
• Puerto Rico: gallito; panitos; pelicanos

Summary of Invasiveness

A. ringens is a perennial twining plant listed in the global Compendium of Weeds as “cultivation escape, environmental weed, garden thug, naturalized, sleeper weed, weed” (Randall, 2012). It received a PIER risk score of 4 with a recommendation for further evaluation, where a score above 6 indicates its invasiveness (PIER, 2015). As an evergreen, perennial climbing vine, A. ringens grows quickly, producing numerous winged seeds adapted for wind dispersal (Acevedo-Rodriguez, 2005). Aristolochia species can also propagate vegetatively (Bailey and Bailey, 1976; Starr et al., 2003). The species is widely cultivated as an ornamental on account of its showy flowers. It is known to escape from cultivation (Liogier and Martorell, 2000; Meerman, 2003; Acevedo-Rodriguez, 2005; Randall, 2012), is weedy in parts of Central Africa (Randall, 2012), and has been reported to be invasive in Cuba (Oviedo-Prieto et al., 2012). 

Taxonomic Tree

• Domain: Eukaryota
•     Kingdom: Plantae
•         Phylum: Spermatophyta
•             Subphylum: Angiospermae
•                 Class: Dicotyledonae
•                     Order: Aristolochiales
•                         Family: Aristolochiaceae
•                             Genus: Aristolochia
•                                 Species: Aristolochia ringens

Notes on Taxonomy and Nomenclature

The type genus of the family Aristolochiaceae, Aristolochia is a tropical genus of about 350 species, mostly herbaceous or woody vines, less frequently herbs or shrubs, with greatest diversity of species in Central and South America (Mesler and Lu, 1993; Kiew, 1999; Acevedo-Rodriguez, 2005; Wagner et al., 2015). The name Aristolochia is derived from the Greek words ‘aristos’ meaning ‘best’, and ‘locheia’ meaning ‘birth’, in reference to the Greeks’ use of the plants in childbirth, and from this reference came the common name for the genus, ‘birthwort’ (Melser and Lu, 1993). 

The species name ringens comes from the Latin word for ‘snarling’, from the lips of the flower which give the impression of a gaping mouth. The common name Dutchman’s pipe refers to the showy flowers, which are shaped like a traditional Dutch pipe.

Description

The following description is taken from Acevedo-Rodriguez, 2005:

Slightly woody vine, twining, attaining 5 m in length. Stems cylindrical, slender, glabrous, with the pith hollow. Leaves alternate; blades 5-16 x 6-18 cm, broadly ovate, reniform or orbicular, chartaceous, with prominently reticulate venation, the apex obtuse or rounded, the base deeply cordate, the margins entire; upper surface dark green, dull; lower surface glaucous, glabrous, with numerous scattered dots; petioles 3-11 cm long, sulcate or compressed, broadened at the base; pseudostipules foliaceous, ovate-rounded, 2.5-5 cm long. Flowers solitary, pendulous; peduncle 7.5-17 cm long; utricle obovoid, 5-7 x 2.5-4 cm, the tube straight, 3-4 cm long, almost forming a right angle with the utricle; limb bilabiate, yellowish with a cardinal red reticulum, the upper lip spathulate, 6-9 cm long, the lower lip lanceolate, 10-15 cm long. Capsule 6-11 cm long, oblong or oblanceolate, with 6 ribs, the apex mucronate, the base acute; seeds numerous, rhomboid, winged, 7-15 mm long. 

Plant Type

Distribution

A. ringens is considered native to South America and known to occur in tropical regions of the Americas and Africa (USDA-ARS, 2015). However, it was not listed in the Forzza et al. (2010) Brazilian flora, despite its being reportedly native to the country (Acevedo-Rodriguez, 2005; Randall, 2012). According to Gonzalez (1990), the species is known only in cultivation in Brazil; although it has been reported to be native to Brazil, this is very likely due to misidentification of morphologically similar species occurring there.

Although many other Aristolochia species occur in the Old World tropics, A. ringens was not listed in many of the floras of the region, suggesting that this species of Aristolochia may be naturalized in parts of Asia (USDA-ARS, 2015) but is not common.

Distribution Table

The distribution in this summary table is based on all the information available. When several references are cited, they may give conflicting information on the status. Further details may be available for individual references in the Distribution Table Details section which can be selected by going to Generate Report.

History of Introduction and Spread

A. ringens is considered native to South America but its exact origin is unknown. Date of introduction to the West Indies is uncertain, but may have occurred in the early 20^th century. The species was not listed in Macfadyen’s (1837) work on Jamaica, floras of Puerto Rico by Bello (1881; 1883), Britton’s (1918) work on Bermuda, or the flora of the Bahamas by Britton and Millspaugh (1920). Britton and Wilson did include it in the fifth volume of their 1923-1926 scientific survey of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands (Britton and Wilson, 1924), in which they report A. ringens had been previously cultivated as an ornamental on St. Croix. It is now reportedly invasive in Cuba (Oviedo-Prieto et al., 2012) and escaped in Puerto Rico (Acevedo-Rodríguez, 2005). The species does not appear to be common in tropical Asia, but in parts of Central America and central Africa it was introduced and has now naturalized (Randall, 2012; USDA-ARS, 2015).

Risk of Introduction

Risk of introduction for A. ringens is still under evaluation, but it is likely to be higher than the PIER risk score of 4 warrants, considering its now known invasiveness in at least one non-native place, history of repeated introduction for ornamental purposes, and status as a known naturalized species outside of its native range (Oviedo-Prieto et al., 2012; Randall, 2012). The species is a climbing vine which grows quickly, reproduces by winged seeds (which it produces many of), and can tolerate shade. There is also mounting evidence of potential negative human and animal health effects of consuming Aristolochia species (Debelle et al., 2008; Michl et al., 2013). Considering these factors, and the fact that some of its closely related species are highly invasive and have been known to outcompete native flora by smothering (such as A. elegans), risk of introduction for this species is moderate but requires further evaluation.

Habitat

A. ringens is cultivated in gardens but also occurs in a range of habitats including humid premontane forests, humid to very-humid tropical forests, and tropical secondary forests (Vascular Plants of Antioquia, 2015). In Bolivia, it has been reported to grow in montane Chaqueno forest (Bolivia Checklist, 2015). In Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands the species is known to escape cultivation into roadsides and in open areas (Acevedo-Rodriguez, 2005). 

Habitat List

Biology and Ecology

Genetics

Sporophytic count = 12 (IPCN Chromosome Reports, 2015).

Environmental Requirements

Aristolochia grows best on moist, fertile soils so long as they are well-drained, and can tolerate some shade but prefers full sun (Llamas, 2003; PIER, 2015; Queensland DAFF, 2015). In Antioquia, Colombia, the species has been reported growing anywhere between 0 and 2000 m (Vascular Plants of Antioquia, 2015), while in Peru it has only been reported occurring at elevations up to 500 m (Peru Checklist, 2015), in Panama up to 1000 m (Panama Checklist, 2015), and in Bolivia between 1000 and 1500 m (Bolivia Checklist, 2015).

Associations

Aristolochia species are important as larval foodplants for swallowtail butterflies of the genera Battus and Parides, which feed exclusively on leaves and young shoots of Aristolochia; ingestion and storage of the toxic aristolochic acid in turn makes the butterflies unpalatable to predators (Kiew, 1999; Meerman, 2003). 

Climate

Soil Tolerances

Soil drainage

• free

Soil texture

• medium

Notes on Natural Enemies

Although caterpillars of various butterfly species feed on the leaves of Aristolochia, they are rarely reported to cause extensive defoliation (Kiew, 1999).

Means of Movement and Dispersal

Natural Dispersal

The seeds of A. ringens are winged, relatively small (c. 7-15 mm), light, and flat, so dispersal by wind and water is possible.

Vector Transmission (Biotic)

The roots are used by humans in traditional medicine. Animals have been known to ingest the leaves of Aristolochia, but no information has been found regarding consumption of the vine’s fruits.

Accidental Introduction

Aristolochia can propagate vegetatively, so accidental introduction through human activity is possible (Bailey and Bailey, 1976; Starr et al., 2003). The species is known to have escaped from cultivation in Africa, parts of central America and the West Indies (Liogier and Martorell, 2000; Meerman, 2003; Acevedo-Rodriguez, 2005; Randall, 2012).

Intentional Introduction

A. ringens has been intentionally introduced beyond its native South American range to central America, Africa, and the Old World tropics as an ornamental plant.

Pathway Causes

Pathway Vectors

Impact Summary

Environmental Impact

This species is a climbing vine which grows and spreads its seeds quickly. Its’ close relative A. elegans, which smothers native flora and reduces local biodiversity, is considered one of the worst 50 invasive species of Queensland, Australia (Weeds of Australia, 2015). Several Aristolochia species including A. ringens and A. elegans that have been introduced to Australia, now threaten the Richmond birdwing butterfly Ornithoptera richmondia, which mistakenly lays its eggs on these plants instead of its sole foodplant, Pararistolochia praevenosa. The larvae are then poisoned by the toxic leaves, resulting in such a decline of population that the Richmond birdwing is now extinct in over two thirds of its range (Sands and Scott, 2002; Sands and New, 2013; Weeds of Australia, 2015).

Although this species’ invasive potential is still under evaluation (PIER, 2015), considering its demonstrated negative effect on the populations of native butterflies in Australia, it poses an overall negative environmental impact on non-native environments. 

Risk and Impact Factors

Impact outcomes

• Negatively impacts human health

Invasiveness

• Fast growing
• Has propagules that can remain viable for more than one year
• Proved invasive outside its native range
• Tolerant of shade
• Tolerates, or benefits from, cultivation, browsing pressure, mutilation, fire etc

Likelihood of entry/control

• Highly likely to be transported internationally deliberately

Uses

The use of various Aristolochia species as an alexiteric has been known since antiquity; its use for snake bites was praised by Theophrastus, Cicero, and Pliny, and it was also known to counter venom in Arab and Indian medicine, as well as Native American medicine (Hance, 1873). 

A. ringens is cultivated and known to have medicinal properties, and is reportedly useful as an emmenagogue and alexiteric (Michl et al., 2013; Duke, 2015; Vascular Plants of Antioquia, 2015). In Africa, where it has been introduced and in many places escaped from cultivation and become naturalized, the species is reportedly used for the management of snake bite venom, gastrointestinal disturbances such as diarrhoea, rheumatoid arthritis, and insomnia (Adeyemi et al., 2012). However, there is increasing evidence of the renal toxicity of various Aristolochia species, which contain aristolochic acid and have been associated with aristolochic acid nephropathy (AAN), a renal interstitial fibrosis and upper urinary tract cancer (UUC) that is likely to be particularly underestimated among populations that rely heavily on traditional medicines (Debelle et al., 2008; Krell and Stebbing, 2013; Michl et al., 2013).

Uses List

Environmental

• Ornamental

Medicinal, pharmaceutical

• Traditional/folklore

Similarities to Other Species/Conditions

A. ringens is similar to some of its closely related species including A. elegans, one of the top 50 invasive weeds in Queensland, Australia. Both A. elegans and A. ringens have a small ear-like structure (i.e. auriculate pseudo-stipule) at the base of each leaf stalk, but the flowers of A. elegans are broad (up to 7.5 cm long and 10 cm wide) while those of A. ringens are longer (10-25 cm long), narrow, and are split into an upper and lower lobe (Weeds of Australia, 2015). Most species of the Aristolochia genus produce foul-smelling, showy flowers, and all produce the toxic aristolochic acid which evidence suggests is carcinogenic.

Prevention and Control

Physical/Mechanical Control

General information regarding mechanical control is available for members of the Aristolochia genus. According to the Queensland Department of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Forestry (Queensland DAFF, 2015) regarding A. ringens’ closely related A. elegans, “manual removal may be the only suitable method of control available for this weed. Small plants can be pulled or dug out, ensuring that the crown and the roots are removed. Vigorous growth may be cut down using a brush hook or other such tool, preferably before seeds set. Trace vines to their main crown and cut with a knife well below this growing point, removing all parts of the plant from the soil.” However, once the species is established mechanical control will be difficult, as Aristolochia species are capable of vegetative propagation (Bailey and Bailey, 1976; Starr et al., 2003).

Chemical Control

Aristolochia species can apparently be controlled with herbicides (Queensland DAFF, 2015). In Hawaii, several non-native Aristolochia species have become weedy and invasive. According to Starr et al. (2003), “the preferred method of control for a similar vine, Coccinia grandis, is to leave the vines in place and use a basal bark application by applying Garlon 4 (triclopyr) at 100% to the base of the vine, as close to the root as possible. To allow proper translocation, do not cut vines. Repeat control is necessary to control any regrowth or stems that were originally missed.”

Gaps in Knowledge/Research Needs

Further research is needed on methods of prevention and control, especially considering its threat to native flora and fauna. As recommended by PIER (2015), further evaluation of the species’ invasive potential is needed.

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Contributors

08/10/2015 Original text by:

Marianne Jennifer Datiles, Department of Botany-Smithsonian NMNH, Washington DC, USA

Distribution Maps

• = Present, no further details
• = Evidence of pathogen
• = Widespread
• = Last reported
• = Localised
• = Presence unconfirmed
• = Confined and subject to quarantine
• = See regional map for distribution within the country
• = Occasional or few reports

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