California Dutchman's Pipe
Aristolochia californica
- Native to:
- United States
peganum (www.flickr.com) from Small Dole, England
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Aristolochiaceae
- Genus:
- Aristolochia
- Species:
- Aristolochia californica
- USDA Symbol:
- ARCA10
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Vine
- Height:
- 300 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Part Shade
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
- Bloom Months:
- jan,feb,mar,apr
- Bloom Colors:
- purple, green, cream
Wildlife Benefits
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
- Caterpillars:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Pipevine Swallowtail (Battus philenor)
Reported Fauna Sightings
Butterflies:Pipevine Swallowtail (Battus philenor)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- butterflies
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Fall Color:
- yellow
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts vigorously from the root crown following fire. Often found in fire-prone chaparral and woodland edges.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rich, well-drained loamy soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- native to riparian areas and woodland edges
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 60–90 days
- Germination Time:
- 30–90 days
- Notes:
- Seeds require cold stratification. Germination can be erratic and may take several months.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI