Aristolochia Sempervirens

Aristolochia sempervirens is an evergreen Mediterranean climber with glossy, elongated heart-shaped leaves and distinctive curved pipe flowers. Each bloom has a pale green to reddish exterior, a golden hairy throat and a dark maroon lip, creating remarkable detail at close range. Small insects are briefly trapped within the floral tube and released after pollination, a specialised mechanism typical of the genus. The wiry stems can clothe a sunny wall or trellis for much of the year in mild gardens. Drought tolerant once established, it is handsome and intriguing but toxic if eaten.