Aristolochia Paucinervis

Aristolochia paucinervis is a low-growing Mediterranean birthwort with creeping underground stems and a spreading cover of rounded to heart-shaped green leaves. Its small pipe-shaped flowers appear close to the ground in spring, coloured in subtle green, brown and purple tones and designed to attract tiny fly pollinators. More curious than flamboyant, it is an excellent collector’s plant for a sheltered woodland edge, trough or shaded rock garden. The foliage gives a lush effect despite the modest height, but the plant contains aristolochic compounds and must never be eaten or used medicinally.