Common Name:

General Information

Aristolochia paucinervis is a low-growing herbaceous, perennial plant with creeping stems.
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine. It is sometimes grown as an ornamental in gardens.
Aristolochia paucinervis is fairly common and widely distributed in the western Mediterranean region, the Iberian Peninsula and Macaronesia. It has numerous low to medium impact threats including coastal development, tourism, overgrazing, trampling, over-collection, irregular fires and deforestation; and is threatened more generally by the direct and indirect impact of human activities such as leisure activities, infrastructure development and urbanisation. Although a population decline appears to be ongoing at some sites, mainly in North Africa (Morocco and Algeria), the overall population trend appears to be stable.The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2013)[].

Known Hazards

Aristolochia paucinervis is highly toxic due to the presence of 'aristolochic acid' which is also carcinogenic; it is particularly dangerous for the kidneys. When the roots are used over a long period, they can cause irreversible kidney damage, haematuria (blood in the urine) and limb paralysis[].

Botanical References

Range

Southwest Europe and the western Mediterranean - Portugal, Spain, southern France, Morocco, Algeria, Madeira, Balearics, Canary Islands

Habitat

Sandy and stony pastures, meadows, rocky cliffs, scrub, woodlands clearings, cultivated fields, weed of crops, wood grassy mountains and Mediterranean forest; at elevations from 500 - 2,500 metres[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	0.30 m
Pollinators	Flies
Cultivation Status	Ornamental,

Cultivation Details

Aristolochia paucinervis is a plant of humid and sub-humid to sub-arid Mediterranean bioclimates[].
In the wild the plant prefers moist humid to dry substrates, stony, clay and sandy soils, relatively poor with a basic pH. It grows in full sun to mid-shade and flowers in spring[].
The plant is pollinated by flies, which it attracts by producing a strong smell from the flowers which are typically saxophone-shaped[].
Most species in this genus have malodorous flowers, often smelling like decaying flesh[]. They are pollinated by the small flies that are attracted to the flowers by these foetid odours and by the purple-brown colour of the flowers. The flies enter the flower when the stigmas are receptive and then become trapped in the hairy throat of the flower until after the anthers dehisce, thus ensuring pollination[, , ].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

The dried powdered root is used in the treatment of aortic palpitations, constipation and intestinal disorders, colic, gas gangrene and as a poison antidote for snakebites. The root is also used to treat skin diseases and infections such us such as tinea, dermatitis, impetigo and mycoses. Historically, the roots have been used as a stimulant during labour and from this fact derives its name: aristos-lokia, excellent and delivery. The ingestion of a mixture of small amounts of rhizome powder with either honey or salted butter is used by several traditional healers for the treatment of abdominal pain, particularly epigastric distress. The whole plant of Aristolochia paucinervis when dried and pulverized is used externally to treat ringworm and wound care[].

The plant is highly toxic due to the presence of 'aristolochic acid' which is also carcinogenic; it is particularly dangerous for the kidneys. When the roots are used over a long period, they can cause irreversible kidney damage, haematuria (blood in the urine) and limb paralysis[].

Many species of Aristolochia have been used in the treatment of snakebite; the treatment may or may not be effective[].

The plant contains aristolochic acid. This compound has a long history of use in hebal medicine (through using plants of the genus Aristolochia) dating back at least to the 5th century CE in China and even earlier in Europe.
Aristolochic acid has a range of potential health benefits - it has been shown to stimulate white blood cell activity and speed the healing of wounds; it has anti-cancer properties and can be used in conjunction with chemotherapy and radiotherapy; it can also be used in the treatment of acute and serious infections such as TB, hepatitis, liver cirrhosis and infantile pneumonia.
However, when taken internally Aristolochic acid also has negative effects upon the body - as well as having anti-cancer properties, it can also be carcinogenic; when used in large doses or even in small doses over a long period, it can be particularly dangerous for the kidneys, causing irreversible damage, haematuria (blood in the urine) and limb paralysis [, , , , ].
Aristolochic acid is often found as an ingredient in proprietary medicines - however, any internal use of plants in this genus cannot be recommended without the guidance of a skilled therapist[].

Other Uses

None known

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[]. Germination usually takes place within 1 - 3 months at 20°c[]. Stored seed germinates better if it is given 3 months cold stratification at 5°c[]. 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[].
Root cuttings in winter[].