Aristolochia gigantea, commonly called Brazilian Dutchman’s pipe or giant pelican flower, is a fast growing woody evergreen twining climber of the birthwort family that produces in early summer unusually large apetalous flowers each having a pouch to 2’ long and 1’ across. Flowers are burgundy velvet netted with distinctive ivory white veins. Flowers purportedly resemble a Dutchman’s pipe, albeit a very large one. Flowers bloom summer to winter in their native territory. This vine will typically grow to 15-20’ long. Vines are clad with light green leaves to 6” long. Flowers are followed by papery capsules containing many seeds. This species is native to humid forested areas from Costa Rica and Panama to Brazil.
