Does anyone have information about this Aristolochia please. I bought it off eBay and am hoping its a butterfly plant. Polydames perhaps? Others?
I've searched for info but not had any luck there!
Thanks.
Aristolochia cymbifera gonzaga
I'm not familar with that particular species. The "cymbifera gonzaga" part is what I'm not familar with. The Pipevine Swallowtail uses Aristolochia as a host. I hope your vine isn't tropical. I understand that some tropicals aren't good for them. Here's a link to some Aristolochia species that are recommended..
http://davesgarden.com/forums/p.php?pid=2886922
A photo of the vine (eBay photo) http://cgi.ebay.com/Aristolochia-cymbifera-gonzaga-Plant-Rare-Dutchman_W0QQitemZ250144992809QQihZ015QQcategoryZ43548QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem#ebayphotohosting
Cordeledawg, could you let me have the site address which mentions which tropical vines are harmful to the butterflies please. It would be good to have on hand as I plant for fragrance as well as butterflies and certainly do have quite a few vines.
Thanks.
Joanmary
Those flowers are stunning! I've never heard of that species so I'm clueless to its host potential.
bedouin, here is the site address for the warning I read on exotic Aristolochia being harmful to our Pipevine Swallowtails.
http://www.ffgc.org/projects/btfy/index.html
It comes from an article I read from the Florida Federation of Garden Clubs, Inc. An astrick marks the note but does not give a list of the exotic species. I hope this helps you some. I didn't mean to alarm you, only want to caution you based on a bit of text I read about exotic species of Aristolochia.
Quoting:
* note:
A. serpentaria is the only native foodplant in Florida. In the Carolinas, etc., it feeds on the large leaves of A. durior which will not grow here. It is true they will lay eggs on many species of aristolochias and most are toxic to this species.
Maybe some of the DGers who plant various species can give you a list of Aristolochia they grow for pipevines and Polydamas. I have seeds but haven't grown it yet. I'm a novice at butterfly gardening and I'm currently doing research before I buy or look for host plants for my gardens. This is a list of Aristolochia species I have on my research list in my diary:
1. Aristolochia macrophylla - big leaf pipevine
2. Aristolochia tomentosa - Woolly pipevine
3. Aristolochia serpentaria - Virginia snakeroot
4. Aristolochia californica - California pipevine
5. Aristolochia fimbriata - white-veined Duchman's pipe
6. Aristolochia duror-
7. Aristolochia littoralis/elegans- Calico Flower
8. Aristolochia gigantea
9. Aristolochia trilobata
10. Aristolochia ringens
Happy Butterfly Gardening
Deborah
Excellent site Deborah, thanks. I'll go through it tomorrow ( time for bed right now....) I did go through my own sites which I'll pass on to you - maybe others would like to see them as well -. Strangely, few of them even mention the polydamas butterfly. I have the Aristolochia Ringens and Gibertii which are certainly larvae food for the P. In fact, I had to go back to Butterfly world to get duplicate vines as mine were rapidly being demolished right down to the ground! I've not seen many larvae for quite a few months.
Fairchild Tropical Garden has a very good idea which I'll pass on. On the edge of their butterfly garden is a tall palm. They've wrapped chicken wire around the base up to about 8+ feet. The aristolochia vine has taken over this chicken wire and I always see quite a number of larvae on the healthy vine or perhaps 'vines', since its so full I cant see whats happening at the base!
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/IN015
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/IN032#beginning
http://www.floridagardener.com/butterflies/swallowtails.htm
http://mamba.bio.uci.edu/~pjbryant/biodiv/bflyplnt.htm
http://www.naba.org/ftp/napl.pdf
http://bugguide.net/node/view/34233
http://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/
http://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/gallery
http://www.druidcityonline.com/oa-bc-butterfly%20garden.htm
http://www.thebutterflysite.com/create-butterfly-garden.shtml
Sites refer to Alabama, Florida and others are general.
If anyone wants some Aristolochia Gibertii (small pipevine flowers) or Ringens (12" pipevine flowers) send a SASE and I'll pass the seeds on to you. They are just hanging on my vines being blown around by the winds. I'm not using them so maybe someone else would like a few! Dmail me re where to send the SASE for the seeds.
Bed time!
Joanmary
Great sites, Joanmary! I especially liked the movie of the eclosing Painted Lady filmed by the 3rd grade class on the butterflysite! So nice of you to offer seeds. I have two types of pipevine seeds that I'm starting now. The only place I have at the moment to let these vines climb is on a dog pen fence. If I can figure out other climbing alternatives, I just my be d-mailing you for your offer. I'm sure other DGer's will too. So kind of you!
I am very curious to find the exotic species of Aristolochia to avoid for butterflies. Should you find out, please let me know too.
Deborah