Family Aristolochiaceae
Synonyms: Hydnoraceae APNI*
Lactoridaceae APNI*
Description: Climbers, [shrubs or perennial herbs].
Leaves alternate, simple, mostly entire, true stipules absent.
Flowers solitary or in racemes. Flowers mostly strongly zygomorphic, bisexual. Calyx usually tubular, petaloid. Petals generally absent. Stamens 4–many, most commonly 6 or 12, free or fused to the base of the style, the filaments and style forming a column. Ovary usually inferior, 4–6-locular, stigma short with 4–several lobes; placentation axile or parietal, ovules numerous in each loculus.
Fruit mostly a capsule, [rarely a berry].
Distribution and occurrence: World: 12 genera, c. 475 species, mainly tropical, also temperate regions. Australia: 2 genera, 13 species, Qld, N.S.W., N.T., W.A.
External links:
Angiosperm Phylogeny Website (Family: Aristolochiaceae, Order: Piperales)
Wikipedia following recent research many species (including Australian taxa) are segregated into the genus Pararistolochia. Several species of Aristolochia (Dutchman's Pipe) have the tubular calyx variously bent and coloured and are grown as ornamental vines.
Text by G. J. Harden
Taxon concept:
| One genus in NSW: Aristolochia |
|
