Pararistolochia praevenosa
(ARISTOLOCHIACEAE)
Richmond Birdwing Vine
Photo: Robert Whyte
Leaves alternate, ovate to elliptic, to 25 cm long, base cordate or rounded, upper surface dark green and dull, lower surface with scattered hairs on veins. Petiole to 30 mm long, thickened and twisted.
Flowers around 20 mm long, moderately hairy, purplish.
Fruit is a capsule, oblong to ovoid, to 4 cm long, ribbed.
Photo: Don Sands
Flower of Pararistolochia praevenosa - about 2cm in length.
Photo: Don Sands
Looking down throat of flower of Pararistolochia praevenosa.
Photo: Robert Whyte
Fruit of Pararistolochia praevenosa - about 3-4cm in length.
Photo: Don Sands
Host plant for the Richmond Birdwing Butterfly. The range of this butterfly is now very fragmented (essentially extinct in large parts its range) due to the loss of this food plant through the clearing of bushland.
Richmond Birdwing butterflies mistake the ornamental Dutchman's Pipe vine for a native Pararistolochia vine and lay their eggs on it.
Toxins in this introduced plant kill young caterpillars.
It is very important to remove all signs of Dutchman's Pipe to protect any remaining butterflies.
The Richmond Birdwing Recovery Network is attempting to encourage this butterfly to repopulate throughout its range, through a planting program in partnership with bushcare groups.
To find out more about this butterfly, follow the links below.
Photo: Don Sands
Larva of Richmond Birdwing butterfly feeding on Pararistolochia praevenosa.
Photo: Robert Whyte
Male Richmond Birdwing butterfly. Thanks to Don Sands for allowing us to photograph these butterflies in his collection.
Photo: Robert Whyte
Underside of male Richmond Birdwing butterfly. Thanks to Don Sands for allowing us to photograph these butterflies in his collection.
Photo: Robert Whyte
Female Richmond Birdwing butterfly. Thanks to Don Sands for allowing us to photograph these butterflies in his collection.
Underside of female Richmond Birdwing butterfly. Thanks to Don Sands for allowing us to photograph these butterflies in his collection.
No comments:
Post a Comment