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Aristolochia rotunda - L.

Common Name Snakeroot
Family Aristolochiaceae
USDA hardiness Coming soon
Known Hazards The plant is poisonous in large quantities[7]. The plant contains aristolochic acid, this has received rather mixed reports on its toxicity. According to one report aristolochic acid stimulates white blood cell activity and speeds the healing of wounds, but is also carcinogenic and damaging to the kidneys[254]. Another report says that it is an active antitumour agent but is too toxic for clinical use[218]. Another report says that aristolochic acid has anti-cancer properties and can be used in conjunction with chemotherapy and radiotherapy and that it also increases the cellular immunity and phagocytosis function of the phagocytic cells[176].
Habitats Found amongst shrubs and herbaceous plants[45] along the sides of roads, in fields and in meadows[7].
Range Europe - Mediterranean. Occasionally naturalized in Britain[17].
Edibility Rating    (0 of 5)
Other Uses    (0 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (2 of 5)
Care (info)
Moist Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Aristolochia rotunda Snakeroot


http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Alberto_Salguero
Aristolochia rotunda Snakeroot
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Alberto_Salguero

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Aristolochia rotunda is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.6 m (2ft). It is in flower from April to June. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Flies.
Suitable for: medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Plant Habitats

Woodland Garden Dappled Shade;

Edible Uses

None known

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Abortifacient  Antitussive  Diuretic  Eczema  Emmenagogue  Pectoral  Vermifuge  Vulnerary


The root is antitussive, diuretic, emmenagogue, pectoral, vermifuge and vulnerary[4, 7, 46, 61]. This herb should only be used internally with expert advice since large doses can provoke abortions as well as poisoning with inflammation of the mucous membranes, resulting in respiratory paralysis[7]. The plant contains aristolochic acid which, whilst stimulating white blood cell activity and speeding the healing of wounds, is also carcinogenic and damaging to the kidneys[254]. Externally the plant is used to treat a variety of skin complaints including eczema and difficult to heal ulcers[7]. The root is harvested in late spring and dried for later use[7].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

None known

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Prefers a well-drained loamy soil, rich in organic matter, in sun or semi-shade[1, 134, 200]. Succeeds in ordinary garden soil[134]. Most species in this genus have malodorous flowers that are pollinated by flies[200].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees,Edible Shrubs, Woodland Gardening, and Temperate Food Forest Plants. Our new book is Food Forest Plants For Hotter Conditions (Tropical and Sub-Tropical).

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Plant Propagation

Seed - best sown in a greenhouse as soon as it is ripe in the autumn. Pre-soak stored seed for 48 hours in hand-hot water and surface sow in a greenhouse[134]. Germination usually takes place within 1 - 3 months at 20°c[134]. Stored seed germinates better if it is given 3 months cold stratification at 5°c[200]. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant out in late spring or early summer after the last expected frosts. Division in autumn[200]. Root cuttings in winter[200].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

EUROPE: Switzerland (south), Albania, Bulgaria (south), Bosnia and Herzegovina, Greece, Croatia, Italy (incl. Sardinia, Sicily), North Macedonia, Montenegro, Slovenia, Turkey (Tekirdag (northwest), Edirne), Spain (northeast), France (incl. Corsica)

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Aristolochia clematitisBirthwortPerennial0.7 5-9  LMHSNM02 
Aristolochia contortaMa Dou LingPerennial1.5 -  LMHSNM13 
Aristolochia debilisMa Dou LingPerennial1.0 7-10  LMHSNM13 
Aristolochia fangchiGuan Fang ChiClimber0.0 -  LMHSNM02 
Aristolochia kaempferi Perennial1.0 -  LMHSNM02 
Aristolochia macrophyllaPipevine, Dutchman's PipeClimber7.0 5-8 FLMHSNDM01 
Aristolochia molissima Climber1.0 -  MSNM02 
Aristolochia reticulataTexas Dutchman's PipePerennial0.4 -  MSNM02 
Aristolochia serpentariaVirginia SnakerootPerennial0.5 7-10  LMHSNDM03 
Aristolochia tomentosaDutchman's Pipe, Woolly dutchman's pipePerennial10.0 7-10 FLMHSNDM02 
Asarum arifolium Perennial0.2 6-9  LMHFSM012
Asarum blumei Perennial0.2 6-9  LMHFSM01 
Asarum canadenseSnake Root, Canadian wildginger, Canada Wild Ginger, Wild GingerPerennial0.1 3-9 SLMHFSM333
Asarum caudatumWild Ginger, British Columbia wildgingerPerennial0.1 6-10 FLMHFSM323
Asarum dilatatum Perennial0.0 -  LMHFSM20 
Asarum europaeumAsarabacca, European Wild GingerPerennial0.1 4-8 SLMHFSM023
Asarum forbesiiDu HengPerennial0.2 -  LMHFSM01 
Asarum heterotropoides Perennial0.2 -  LMHFSM02 
Asarum maximum Perennial0.5 6-9  LMHFSM01 
Asarum nipponicum Perennial0.1 -  LMHFSM10 
Asarum reflexum Perennial0.2 5-9  LMHFSM20 
Asarum shuttleworthiiAsarabacca, Mottled Wild GingerPerennial0.1 5-9 FLMHFSM202
Asarum sieboldiiWild GingerPerennial0.2 -  LMHFSM02 
Asarum splendensChinese Wild GingerPerennial0.2 5-9 SLMFSDM303
Asarum takaoi Perennial0.1 -  LMHFSM10 

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

Expert comment

Author

L.

Botanical References

145

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

Readers comment

Marinella Zepigi   Tue Jun 10 2008

Acta plantarum forum botanico Description - Photos - Aristolochia rotunda L. s.l.

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