Aristolochia elegans Mast., Aristolochiaceae

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Present on Pacific Islands?  yes

Primarily a threat at high elevations?  no

Risk assessment results:  Reject, score: 13 (Go to the risk assessment)

Other Latin names:  Aristolochia littoralis auct.

Common name(s): [more details]

English: calico flower, Dutchman's pipe, elegant Dutchman's pipe

Maori (Cook Islands): mokorā

Spanish: patito

Tongan: fue paipa holani

Habit:  vine

Description:  Climber to 3 m; "leaf blade usually broader than long, somewhat cordate deltoid, rounded; flower greenish, the utricle inflated, the upper part yellow and purple, maculate, about 7 cm long." (Stone, 1970)

"Vigorous lianas. Leaves green on upper surface, lower surface glaucous, cordate-reniform, 7-9 cm long, 6-10 cm wide, pseudostipules ariculate, amplexicaul. Flowers solitary in the leaf axils, greenish yellow and dark blackish purple, the tube bent, ca 3 cm long, the limb unlobed, disk-shaped, ca 10 cm in diameter, abruptly spreading from the tube; gynostemium 8 mm high, 5 mm wide. Capsules cylindrical, 4.5 cm long, 2.5 cm in diameter. Seeds flat, ca 6 mm long" (Wagner et al., 1999; pp. 237-238).

Habitat/ecology:  Prefers fertile, moist soils (Csurhes & Edwards, 1998; p. 95). In Hawai‘i, "cultivated, occasionally escaping, and now sparingly naturalized in the Pearl Harbor area" (Wagner et al., 1999; pp. 237-238). In New Caledonia, "liane peu cultivée mais largement naturalisée; localement abondante dans des ravins boisés sur calcaires dans le Nord-Ouest" (MacKee, 1994; p. 19).

Propagation:  Seed or cuttings.

Native range:  South America, "cultivated and naturalized elsewhere in tropics" (GRIN).

Presence:

Pacific
Country/Terr./St. & Island group	Location	Cited status & Cited as invasive & Cited as cultivated & Cited as aboriginal introduction?	Reference & Comments
Cook Islands Southern Cook Islands	Mangaia Island	introduced invasive	Space, James C./Flynn, Tim (2002) (p. 84) Voucher: Flynn 7040 (PTBG, BISH, US)
Cook Islands Southern Cook Islands	Mangaia Island		National Tropical Botanical Garden (U.S.A. Hawaii. Kalaheo.) (2002) (voucher ID: PTBG 364) Taxon name on voucher: Aristolochia littoralis
Cook Islands Southern Cook Islands	Rarotonga Island	introduced cultivated	McCormack, Gerald (2011)
Ecuador (Galápagos Islands) Santa Cruz Group	Santa Cruz Island	introduced cultivated	Charles Darwin Foundation (2008)
Federated States of Micronesia Chuuk Islands	Weno (Moen) Island	introduced cultivated	Space, James C./Waterhouse, Barbara/Denslow, Julie S./Nelson, Duane/Mazawa, Thomas R. (2000) (p. 25) Species not confirmed.
Fiji Fiji Islands	Viti Levu Island	introduced cultivated	Smith, Albert C. (1981) (pp. 55-56) Voucher cited: DA 16727
Fiji Fiji Islands	Viti Levu Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1969) (voucher ID: BISH 33717) Taxon name on voucher: Aristolochia littoralis Parodi
French Polynesia Gambier Islands	Mangareva (Gambier) Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Florence, J. (2004) (p. 84) Aristolochia elegans M.T. Masters
French Polynesia Gambier Islands	Mangareva (Gambier) Island	introduced cultivated	Florence, J./Chevillotte, H./Ollier, C./Meyer, J.-Y. (2011) Cultivée
French Polynesia Society Islands	Taha‘a Island	introduced	Fosberg, F. R. (1997) (p. 14)
French Polynesia Society Islands	Tahiti Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Florence, J. (2004) (p. 84) Aristolochia elegans M.T. Masters
French Polynesia Society Islands	Tahiti Island	introduced cultivated	Florence, J./Chevillotte, H./Ollier, C./Meyer, J.-Y. (2011) Cultivée
French Polynesia Society Islands	Tahiti Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1930) (voucher ID: BISH 36461) Taxon name on voucher: Aristolochia elegans
Guam Guam Island	Guam Island	introduced cultivated	Stone, Benjamin C. (1970) (p. 262)
Guam Guam Island	Guam Island	introduced	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1979) (p. 66) Voucher cited: Merrill 79
State of Hawaii Hawaiian Islands	Hawai‘i (Big) Island		Bishop Museum (U.S.A. Hawaii. Honolulu.) (1933) (voucher ID: BISH 73044) Taxon name on voucher: Aristolochia littoralis Parodi
State of Hawaii Hawaiian Islands	Kaua‘i Island	introduced invasive	Imada, Clyde T./Staples, George W./Herbst, Derral R. (2000) (p. 10) Voucher cited: C. Imdada, W. Char & C. Morden 99-5 (BISH)
State of Hawaii Hawaiian Islands	Maui Island	introduced invasive	Starr, Forest/Starr, Kim/Loope, Lloyd L. (2003) (p. 25) East Maui. Voucher cited: Starr & Martz 001121-3 (BISH)
State of Hawaii Hawaiian Islands	Maui Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Oppenheimer, Hank (2007) (p. 19) West Maui. Voucher cited: Oppenheimer, Duvall & Sherrill H120651 (PTBG)
State of Hawaii Hawaiian Islands	O‘ahu Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Wagner, Warren L./Herbst, Derral R./Sohmer, S. H. (1999) (pp. 237-238) Sparingly naturalized.
New Caledonia New Caledonia	New Caledonia Islands	introduced invasive	Meyer, Jean-Yves (2000) (p. 99) As A. elegans
New Caledonia New Caledonia Archipelago	Île Grande Terre	introduced invasive cultivated	MacKee, H. S. (1994) (p. 19) Vouchers cited: Däniker 2830 (Z), Schmid 769, MacKee 16066, MacKee 16974, MacKee 22377, MacKee 34946
New Caledonia New Caledonia Archipelago	Île Nou	introduced invasive cultivated	MacKee, H. S. (1994) (p. 19) Voucher cited: Suprin in MacKee 42389
Niue Niue	Niue Island	introduced cultivated	Sykes, W. R. (1970) (p. 48) Voucher cited: CHR 168880
Niue Niue	Niue Island	introduced cultivated	Yuncker, T. G. (1943) (p. 50) Vouchers cited: Yuncker 9740 (BISH), Yuncker 10200 (BISH)
Papua New Guinea Bismarck Archipelago	Bismarck Archipelago	introduced invasive cultivated	Peekel, P. G. [translated by E. E. Henty] (1984) (p. 160) Here and there wild near settlements.
Philippines Philippine Islands	Philippine Islands	introduced cultivated	Merrill, Elmer D. (1923) (p. 119) Cultivated only.
Solomon Islands Solomon Islands	Solomon Islands	introduced cultivated	Hancock, I. R./Henderson, C. P. (1988) (p. 48)
Tonga Tongatapu Group	‘Eua Island	introduced invasive	Space, James C./Flynn, Tim (2001) (p. 58)
Tonga Tongatapu Group	‘Eua Island	introduced invasive	Yuncker, T. G. (1959) (p. 106) Voucher cited: Yuncker 15616
Vanuatu New Hebrides Islands	Tanna Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1981) (voucher ID: BISH 432673) Taxon name on voucher: Aristolochia littoralis Parodi
Vanuatu New Hebrides Islands	Tanna Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1980) (voucher ID: BISH 618519) Taxon name on voucher: Aristolochia littoralis Parodi

Pacific Rim
Country/Terr./St. & Island group	Location	Cited status & Cited as invasive & Cited as cultivated & Cited as aboriginal introduction?	Reference & Comments
Australia Australia (continental)	New South Wales	introduced invasive cultivated	Csurhes, S./Edwards, R. (1998) (p. 95)
Australia Australia (continental)	Queensland	introduced invasive cultivated	Csurhes, S./Edwards, R. (1998) (p. 95)
Colombia Colombia	Colombia (Republic of)	native	U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2011)
Ecuador (Mainland) Ecuador	Ecuador (Republic of) (continental)	native	U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2011)
Perú Perú	Perú (Republic of)	native	U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2011)
Singapore Singapore	Singapore (Republic of)	introduced cultivated	Chong, Kwek Yan/Tan, Hugh T. W./Corlett, Richard T. (2009) (p. 15) Cultivated only

Indian Ocean
Country/Terr./St. & Island group	Location	Cited status & Cited as invasive & Cited as cultivated & Cited as aboriginal introduction?	Reference & Comments
Australia (Indian Ocean offshore islands) Christmas Island Group	Christmas Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Swarbrick, J. T. (1997) (p. 104) Naturalized

Also reported from
Country/Terr./St. & Island group	Location	Cited status & Cited as invasive & Cited as cultivated & Cited as aboriginal introduction?	Reference & Comments
United States (continental except west coast) United States (other states)	USA (Florida)	introduced	U.S. Dept. Agr., Nat. Res. Cons. Serv. (2011)

Comments:  Reported to be moderately invasive in New Caledonia (Meyer, 2000; p. 99).

Additional information:
Report (PDF format) from US Geological Survey, Biological Resources Division, Haleakala Field Station, Hawaii "Plants of Hawaii".
Fact sheet from the Government of Queensland, Australia. (PDF format).

Additional online information about Aristolochia elegans is available from the Hawaiian Ecosystems at Risk project (HEAR).

Information about Aristolochia elegans as a weed (worldwide references) may be available from the Global Compendium of Weeds (GCW).

Taxonomic information about Aristolochia elegans may be available from the Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN).

References:

Bishop Museum (Honolulu). 1930. Voucher specimen #BISH 36461 (Grant, M.L. 3628).

Bishop Museum (Honolulu). 1969. Voucher specimen #BISH 33717 (Smith, A.C. 16727).

Bishop Museum (Honolulu). 1980. Voucher specimen #BISH 618519 (Krauss, N. 1687).

Bishop Museum (Honolulu). 1981. Voucher specimen #BISH 432673 (Krauss, N.L.H. 1699).

Bishop Museum (U.S.A. Hawaii. Honolulu.). 1933. Voucher specimen #BISH73044(Fosberg, F.R. 10056).

Charles Darwin Foundation. 2008. Database inventory of introduced plant species in the rural and urban zones of Galapagos. Charles Darwin Foundation, Galapagos, Ecuador.

Chong, Kwek Yan/Tan, Hugh T. W./Corlett, Richard T. 2009. A checklist of the total vascular plant flora of Singapore: native, naturalised and cultivated species. Raffles Museum of Biodiversity Research, National University of Singapore. 273 pp.

Csurhes, S./Edwards, R. 1998. Potential environmental weeds in Australia: Candidate species for preventative control. Canberra, Australia. Biodiversity Group, Environment Australia. 208 pp.

Florence, J. 2004. Flore de la Polynésie française, Vol. 2. Paris. IRE Editions, Publications Scientifiques, Collection Faune et Flore Tropicales 41. 503 pp.

Florence, J./Chevillotte, H./Ollier, C./Meyer, J.-Y. 2011. Base de données botaniques Nadeaud de l'Herbier de la Polynésie Française (PAP). (online resource).

Fosberg, F. R. 1997. Preliminary checklist of the flowering plants and ferns of the Society Islands. Ed. by David R. Stoddart. U. Cal. Berkeley.

Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce. 1979. A geographical checklist of the Micronesian dicotyledonae. Micronesica 15:1-295.

Hancock, I. R./Henderson, C. P. 1988. Flora of the Solomon Islands. Research Bulletin No. 7. Ministry of Agriculture and Lands, Honiara. 203 pp.

Imada, Clyde T./Staples, George W./Herbst, Derral R. 2000. New Hawaiian plant records for 1999. In: Evenhuis, Neal L. and Eldredge, Lucius G., eds. Records of the Hawaii Biological Survey for 1999. Part 1: Articles. Bishop Museum Occasional Papers. 63:9-16.

MacKee, H. S. 1994. Catalogue des plantes introduites et cultivées en Nouvelle-Calédonie. Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Paris, 164 p.

McCormack, Gerald. 2011. Cook Islands Biodiversity Database, Version 2007.2. Cook Islands Natural Heritage Trust, Rarotonga.

Merrill, Elmer D. 1923. An enumeration of Philippine flowering plants, vol. 2 [reprint]. Bureau of Printing, Manila. 530 pp.

Meyer, Jean-Yves. 2000. Preliminary review of the invasive plants in the Pacific islands (SPREP Member Countries). In: Sherley, G. (tech. ed.). Invasive species in the Pacific: A technical review and draft regional strategy. South Pacific Regional Environment Programme, Samoa. 190 pp.

National Tropical Botanical Garden (U.S.A. Hawaii. Kalaheo.). 2002. Voucher specimen #PTBG364(Tim Flynn 7040).

Oppenheimer, Hank. 2007. New plant records from Moloka‘i, Lāna‘i, Maui, and Hawai‘i for 2006. In: Evenhuis, Neal L. and Eldredge, Lucias G., eds. Records of the Hawaii Biological Survey for 2006. Part 2: Notes. Bishop Museum Occasional Papers 96:17-34.

Peekel, P. G. [translated by E. E. Henty]. 1984. Flora of the Bismarck Archipelago for naturalists. Office of Forests, Division of Botany, Lae, Papua New Guinea. 638 pp. ISBN 9980-66-000-7.

Smith, Albert C. 1981. Flora Vitiensis nova: a new flora of Fiji. National Tropical Botanical Garden, Lawai, Kauai, Hawaii. Volume 2. 810 pp.

Space, James C./Flynn, Tim. 2001. Report to the Kingdom of Tonga on invasive plant species of environmental concern.  USDA Forest Service, Honolulu. 78 pp.

Space, James C./Flynn, Tim. 2002. Report to the Government of the Cook Islands on invasive plant species of environmental concern. USDA Forest Service, Honolulu. 146 pp.

Space, James C./Waterhouse, Barbara/Denslow, Julie S./Nelson, Duane/Mazawa, Thomas R. 2000. Invasive plant species in Chuuk, Federated States of Micronesia.  USDA Forest Service, Honolulu. 41 pp.

Starr, Forest/Starr, Kim/Loope, Lloyd L. 2003. New plant records from the Hawaiian Archipelago. In: Evenhuis, Neal L. and Eldredge, Lucius G., eds. Records of the Hawaii Biological Survey for 2001-2002. Part 2: Notes. Bishop Museum Occasional Papers. 74:23-34.

Stone, Benjamin C. 1970. The flora of Guam. Micronesica 6:1-659.

Swarbrick, J. T. 1997. Environmental weeds and exotic plants on Christmas Island, Indian Ocean: a report to Parks Australia. 101 pp. plus appendix.

Sykes, W. R. 1970. Contributions to the flora of Niue. New Zealand Department of Scientific and Industrial Research Bulletin 200, Wellington. 321 pp.

U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. 2011. National Genetic Resources Program. Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN). Online searchable database.

U.S. Dept. Agr., Nat. Res. Cons. Serv. 2011. The PLANTS Database. National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, LA 70874-4490 USA.

Wagner, Warren L./Herbst, Derral R./Sohmer, S. H. 1999. Manual of the flowering plants of Hawaii. Revised edition. Bernice P. Bishop Museum special publication. University of Hawai‘i Press/Bishop Museum Press, Honolulu. 1919 pp. (two volumes).

Yuncker, T. G. 1943. The flora of Niue Island. Bishop Mus. Bull. 178. Bishop Museum Press, Honolulu. 126 pp.

Yuncker, T. G. 1959. Plants of Tonga. Bishop Museum Bull. 220. Bishop Museum Press, Honolulu. 343 pp.