About Aristolochia gigantea Mart. & Zucc.
Aristolochia gigantea Mart. & Zucc. is a vigorous, woody, evergreen climbing vine. Its leaves are simple, heart-shaped (cordate), and grow on a petiole. Its inflorescence holds a single bilateral (zygomorphic), bisexual flower. This species has 6 stamens that are fused together to form a gynostemium, and it has a syncarpous gynoecium. The outer face of the flower is oval, with a maroon background marked by a fine network of pale pink or whitish veins. The rear of the flower is shaped like a globe, and the flower's throat is yellow. In cultivation, this species cannot tolerate temperatures below 10 °C (50 °F), so in the UK it must always be grown under glass. It has received the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit, and can be propagated from either seeds or cuttings.
