12937 Aristolochia grandiflora – Pelican Flower

Description

This extraordinary climbing plant is from South and Central America and its genus is consisting of almost 500 species. In some countries, it is also known as trumpet flower or birthwort. The Aristolochia is popular for its fast growth, heart-shaped leaves and its unusually shaped, enormous brown-white flowers. The gigantic flowers (the largest of all Aristolochia species) have a special characteristic next to their size: An insect trap in the centre of the flowers. This bulbous center narrows to a slim tube. Insects are attracted crawling deep into the tube, thus pollinating the flower. The trichomes of the flower wither after two days allowing the insect to escape.