Aristolochia praevenosa
{{Short description|Species of flowering plant}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2020}}{{Use Australian English|date=July 2011}}{{italic title}}
{{Speciesbox
|name = Richmond birdwing butterfly vine
|image = Pararistolochia praevenosa Aristolochia praevenosa.jpg
|status =
|status_system =
|taxon = Aristolochia praevenosa
|authority = F.Muell.{{cite web |title=Aristolochia praevenosa F.Muell. |work=The International Plant Names Index |url=https://www.ipni.org/n/93247-1 |access-date=2023-02-14 }}
|synonyms = *Pararistolochia praevenosa (F.Muell.) Mich.J.Parsons
}}
Aristolochia praevenosa, synonym Pararistolochia praevenosa, is an Australian plant in the birthwort family, native to Queensland and New South Wales. The Richmond birdwing butterfly vine grows in subtropical rainforest in coastal areas north from Wollongbar,{{cite web |title=Pararistolochia praevenosa|work= PlantNET - NSW Flora Online|url=http://plantnet.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/cgi-bin/NSWfl.pl?page=nswfl&lvl=sp&name=Pararistolochia~praevenosa|access-date=2010-05-08}} in far north eastern New South Wales and adjacent areas in south eastern Queensland.{{cite web |title=Frequently Asked Questions |work=Richmond Birdwing Recovery Network|url=http://www.richmondbirdwing.org.au/faq.php#43|access-date=2010-06-10}} It has been recorded as far north as the Mary River. It also grows in tropical north eastern Queensland, where it is a food plant for the Cairns birdwing butterfly.{{cite web |year= 2010|url = http://lepidoptera.butterflyhouse.com.au/papi/euphor.html|title = Troides euphorion (Gray, [1853])|publisher = lepidoptera.butterflyhouse.com.au| access-date = 11 June 2010 }}{{cite web |year= 2010|url = http://www.anbg.gov.au/cgi-bin/map/winmap?taxon_id=232383|title = Plant Distribution Mapper|publisher = Australian National Botanic Gardens| access-date = 11 June 2010 | last=Plant Distribution Mapper Database}}{{cite web|date = September 2002|url = http://www.wettropics.gov.au/res/downloads/periodic_report/WT_Periodic_Report_Attachments.pdf|title = Update of Original Wet Tropics of Queensland Nomination Dossier|publisher = Wet Tropics Management Authority|access-date = 11 June 2010|last = Goosem|first = Stephen|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110222011143/http://wettropics.gov.au/res/downloads/periodic_report/WT_Periodic_Report_Attachments.pdf|archive-date = 22 February 2011|url-status = dead}}
Richmond birdwing butterfly
This vine is the main food species for the Richmond birdwing butterfly.{{cite web |title=Richmond Birdwing Vine |url=http://www.richmondbirdwing.org.au/images/Growing%20birdwing%20vines%20-%20Chris%20Hosking.pdf|author=Chris Hosking|work=Richmond Birdwing Recovery Network|access-date=2010-06-10}} This plant has suffered from habitat loss since the appearance of European settlers. Former areas of its habitat have been almost completely destroyed, such as at the Big Scrub. In recent times there have been programs by schools and government authorities, attempting to encourage new plantings of this vine.{{cite web |year= 2010|url = http://www.landmanager.org.au/view/254588/information-resources-for-the-plant--pararistolochia-praevenosa.html|title = Information resources for the plant Pararistolochia praevenosa|publisher = North Australia Land Manager| access-date = 11 June 2010 }}{{cite book |date= October 2002|url = http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/threatened/publications/action/butterfly/index.html|title = The Action Plan for Australian Butterflies|publisher = Environment Australia| access-date = 11 June 2010 | last=Sands| first= T.R. D.P.A.|isbn=0-642-54849-8}} This is mostly for the benefit of the Richmond birdwing butterfly. It is considered that the caterpillars of this butterfly do not kill the vines, as the caterpillars only eat new fresh leaves, and ignore the older mature leaves.
Description
Aaristolochia praevenosa grows as a large woody vine, characterized by dense brown hairs on leaf stems, shoots and flowering parts.
The ovate to elliptic shaped leaves measure from 7 to 25 cm (3–10 in) long, and 2.5 to 8 cm (1–3.4 in) wide. The base of the leaf is heart shaped or rounded. The leaf surface is a dull dark green above, and hairy below, particularly on the leaf veins. The leaf stems are 1 to 3 cm (0.4–1.2 in) long, thick and twisted.
Two to six tubular shaped flowers form on racemes in summer and autumn. The flowers are 2.5 cm (1 in) long, purple or pinkish with bright yellow inside. Flower stems mostly originate from the leaf axils. The fruit is an orange ribbed capsule, oblong or oval in shape, 2 to 4 cm (0.8–1.6 in) long.{{cite web |year= 2008 |url = http://www.saveourwaterwaysnow.com.au/01_cms/details_pop.asp?ID=291|title = Pararistolochia praevenosa (ARISTOLOCHIACEAE) Richmond Birdwing Vine|publisher = Save Our Waterways Now | access-date = 11 June 2010 }}
File:Cairns birdwing - melbourne zoo.jpg butterfly]]
File:Richmond Birdwing Butterfly (Ornithoptera richmondius).jpg butterfly]]
Germination
Flowers are pollinated by the Forcipomyia midge. Cuttings are poor to good in striking, and growth is slow. However, germination from fresh seeds is not difficult.{{cite web|title=Recommendations for the planting of the birdwing vines|work=Richmond Birdwing Recovery Network|url=http://richmondbirdwing.org.au/cultivation.php|author=Seddon, Ray|access-date=2010-06-10}}{{Dead link|date=April 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} Seeds are viable for germination for around three months. Appropriate watering, weed removal, protection from snails, climbing support and fertilizing are recommended for young plants.
Taxonomy
First described by Ferdinand von Mueller in 1861 as Aristolochia praevenosa,{{APNI | name = Aristolochia praevenosa F.Muell. | id = 47835}} it was placed in its current genus by Parsons in 1996.{{APNI | name = Pararistolochia praevenosa (F.Muell.) Michael J.Parsons | id = 232383}}