Pipevine
Aristolochia watsonii
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Details & Attributes
| Plant Type(s) | Annual vine |
| Native to Arizona | Yes! |
| Water Needs | Low |
| Sun | Partial shade |
| Pollinators | Blood sucking flies! |
| Has Spines | No |
| Size In relative feet, width by height |
6-9" × 1-1.5' |
| Freeze Tolerant | Yes |
| Flowering Season | July-September |
| Flower Color | Purple/yellow |
| Minimum Temperature Range | 10 °F |
| Leaf Description | Arrowhead shaped |
| Fruit | A ribbed fruit filled with many flat black seeds |
| View on SEINet | View SEINet Entry |
| Range Map | View SEINet Range Map |
| Elevation Range | 2000-4500 ft. |
| Description | This oddball plant will not fill a trellis, or cover your fence, but it will attract caterpillars of the beautiful pipevine swallowtail butterfly. Leaves are arrowhead shaped and purple/green. Flowers are urn shaped with downward pointing hairs that trap wayward bloodsucking flies overnight, dousing them with pollen, and releasing them in the morning to stumble into another mouse-ear-like flower. Plants sprout from a small carrot shaped tuber and sprawl on the ground, rarely up into shrubs or trees. Once plants are established they can reseed, and almost certainly will attract the unmistakable red and black caterpillars of the pipevine swallowtail. Plant in sandy, well draining soils to ensure the tuber doesn't rot during winter dormancy. |
