Aristolochias at MOSI Outside

Pipevines (Aristolochia) are the genus of plants that serve as host plants for the Polydamas Swallowtails (Battus polydamas) and Pipevine Swallowtails (Battus philenor) here in Central Florida. Trouble is, not all aristolochia species can successfully be used by both butterfly species. The whole thing gets a little tricky to sort out, especially when you factor in the knowledge that some of these non-native pipevine species are considered invasive, but the native varieties can be difficult to find and grow. What's a Florida butterfly gardener to do?

A Pipevine Swallowtail (Battus philenor) lays eggs on non-native Calico Dutchman's Pipevine, which is toxic to its larvae.

Native but Picky
Given that using native species is generally the easiest and safest choice, Florida butterfly gardeners do have a couple of options. Our two native pipevine species can safely be used by both Polydamas and Pipevine Swallowtail caterpillars, but both are frustratingly slow to grow in Florida's climate. Still, for the home gardener, both are worth seeking and trying out.

Virginia Snakeroot (Aristolochia serpentaria) is most often found on the dappled sunlight floors of forests. Snakeroots bloom in the late summer and fall, with a tiny pipe-like flower that is located near the base of the plant just above the soil. We've attempted to cultivate A. serpentaria at MOSI Outside, but it doesn't grow fast enough to feed the large number of caterpillar we raise. Instead, we allow it to grow undisturbed in the Backwoods Nature Preserve as part of the natural ecosystem.

Wooly Pipevine (Aristolochia tomentosa) is the other species of pipevine native to Florida, though its true range is limited to zones 8 and below. It's hard to cultivate in Central and South Florida, though the medium-sized heart-shaped leaves make great food for both types of swallowtails. The biggest difficulty may be finding plants or seeds to start from - we have more than once found mislabeled plants being sold as native A. tomentosa when instead they were one of the exotic species. The problem is, it's difficult to tell from leaves alone - the flowers are what will help you tell the species apart. A. tomentosa has a small flower with a "wooly" texture, as the name indicates.

Easy Exotics with Serious Drawbacks

With our native pipevines being so difficult to cultivate in peninsular Florida, growers have unsurprisingly turned to the exotic pipevine varieties from Central and South America. With giant leaves and even more massive flowers, these species are showy and fast-growing. However, at least one of these is considered invasive by the Florida  Exotic Pest Plant Council, and some of them are only able to be used by the more tropical Polydamas Swallowtail caterpillars. We grow only one of these exotics at MOSI Outside, but it easily outpaces all the other species put together.

Calico Dutchman's Pipevine (Aristolochia gigantea syn. A. littoralis) has a smooth heart shaped leaf and grows a gigantic oval pipevine flower that is about the size of your face. This is probably the most commonly-sold non-native pipevine in Florida. It's easy to grow, and can cover a trellis in days and a fence in a week or two - no kidding! Polydamas Swallowtails love this Artistolochia, and in many places, their presence is enough to keep this fast-grower in check. But Pipevine Swallowtails will lay on this vine too, and when their caterpillars hatch and start to eat, they will die. So butterfly gardeners have to decide if this plant (also listed as a Category II Invasive Species in Florida) is really worth it.

A Pipevine Compromise

Several non-native pipevines are too slow-growing to be invasive, but much faster than our native species here in Central Florida. These species can be used by both Polydamas and Pipevine Swallowtails.

Trilobed Pipevine (Aristolochia trilobata) is native to Belize and other neighboring areas of South America and is also known as Calico Vine or Bejuco de Santiago. Their shiny leaves have three long lobes, and the flowers are small, truly resembling the "pipes" the vine is named for. This non-native is slow-growing compared to A. littoralis, but much faster and hardier than our native pipevines. It has the added benefit of being able to be consumed by both Pipevine and Polydamas Swallowtail caterpillars. It can be difficult to find for sale - check local plant sales as opposed to big box stores.

White-Veined Dutchman's Pipevine (Aristolochia fimbriata) is native to South America. The distinctive small flowers appear to have "eyelashes" around the edge of the flower opening, hence the species name fimbriata, meaning "fringed." The leaves are round in shape, with white veining. This plant tends to ramble more than climb, making it a good choice for hanging baskets. Its growth habit is slow-to-medium, depending on conditions. Seeds are available for purchase from a variety of sources.