Common Name: Texas Dutchman's Pipe

General Information

Aristolochia reticulata is an erect to sprawling, perennial plant growing up to 40cm tall[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine. The root is sometimes sold for medicinal use.

Known Hazards

The plant contains aristolochic acid, which has a range of positive medicinal activities. However, there are also potential harmful activities when it is taken internally. When used in large doses or even in small doses over a prolonged period, it can be particularly dangerous for the kidneys, causing irreversible damage, haematuria (blood in the urine) and limb paralysis [, , , , ].
Many species are used medicinally, taken both internally and externally, but some countries, including China, have banned them from internal use[]

Botanical References

Range

Southern N. America - Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma and Texas

Habitat

Moist woodlands[]. Moist, sandy soils; at elevations of 30 - 600 metres[].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	0.40 m
Pollinators	Flies
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Prefers a well-drained loamy soil, rich in organic matter, in sun or semi-shade[, , ]. Succeeds in ordinary garden soil[].
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 root is aromatic, bitter, diaphoretic, diuretic, stimulant, stomachic and tonic[, ].
The dried rhizome of Aristolochia reticulata is sometimes sold as serpentary for the treatment of snakebites[]. It is used as a tonic to calm the stomach, promote urination, and increase perspiration. The active ingredient is aristolochic acid, a potent gastric irritant that, in large doses, can cause respiratory paralysis[].

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

All species in this genus contain greater or lesser concentrations of 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[].