What are the characteristics of Aristolochia tubiflora? A detailed explanation of its main morphological features

Yidianxue, Duyiwei, Hongbaiyao.

It is native to Henan, Hubei, Hunan, Sichuan and other places, and is now widely distributed in southern China.

Aristolochia tubiflora is a herbaceous vine; its root is slender and cylindrical, yellow-brown in color; the stem is hairless and has grooves when dry; the young branches and leaf stalks of Aristolochia tubiflora exude a slightly red sap when broken. The leaves have a papery or membranous feel, are ovate-cordate in shape, with a slightly blunt tip and a shallowly cordate base, the two lateral lobes drooping, the leaf margin entire, the upper surface dark green, the lower surface light green or powdery green, and the leaf surface often densely covered with small dots; the capsule is brown and oblong, and the fruit stalk splits into 6 strips as the fruit dehisces; the seeds are ovate, with raised small dots on the back and a sunken raphe on the ventral side. The flowering period is April to August, and the fruiting period is October to December.

Aristolochia tubiflora mostly grows in shady and humid places under forests. The flowers of Aristolochia tubiflora can emit a rotting-flesh odor to attract insects. After entering the floral tube, the insects find it difficult to crawl out because they are blocked by the hairs on the inner side of the flower. When the pollen matures, it falls on the backs of the insects; at this time the hairs wither, and the insects fly out to carry out pollination.

The root and fruit are used as medicine, and have the effects of clearing lung heat, relieving cough, and calming asthma.The root can be used to clear heat and detoxify, relieve pain, and is used for stomach pain and venomous snake bites. The whole plant can be used for traumatic injuries.