Dutchman`s Pipe - Sydney Weeds Committees

 Weed alert : Dutchman’s Pipe Dutchman’s Pipe, Aristolochia elegans , is a climbing plant, with heart shaped leaves, unusual cream and reddish purple tubular flowers up to 10 cm across and cylindrical capsules (4-­‐6 cm long), which have a short projection at their tips and split open from the top when mature. The capsule contains numerous tear shaped seeds. Description Dutchman’s Pipe is a vigorous climber growing up to 3m but occasionally reaching up to 7m. It has slender twining hairless stems, although older stems become corky and fissured. The leaves are alternatiely arranged and borne non stalks 15-­‐50 mm long. At the base of each leaf stalk there is a small ear-­‐shaped leafy structure. The leaf blades are hairless, bright green in colour on top and paler bluish green underneath, broad and somewhat heart-­‐shaped (3-­‐10 cm long and 3-­‐
12 cm wide). The showy flowers (about 7.5 cm long and 10 cm across) are borne singly in the leaf axils on pendulous stalks up to 7 cm long. The 'petals' are fused into a bent tube that resembles a smoking pipe, with a broad heart-­‐shaped opening. They are pale in colour (i.e. cream or whitish) with numerous reddish or purplish blotches, and have a yellowish throat. Flowering occurs mainly during summer. Distribution In Sydney it has been recorded only on Waverton foreshore and at Emu Plains. However it is likely to occir elsewhere as it has been widely cultuivated as an ornamental. It is naturalised in the eastern parts of Australia, where it is relatively widespread. It is common in the coastal districts of southern and central Queensland, scattered in the coastal areas of northern Queensland, and sparingly naturalised in the north-­‐eastern corner of New South Wales (i.e. near Casino). Also naturalised on Christmas Island. How is it spread? It reproduces mostly by seeds, which are relatively light and usually released from a significant height, meaning that dispersal is often wind-­‐assisted. Seeds may also be spread by water (if plants are growing along waterways) and in dumped garden waste. Impacts It is regarded as a potentially serious environmental weed in Queensland and New South Wales, and as a potential environmental weed or "sleeper weed" in many other regions of Australia. It was recently ranked among the top 50 most invasive plants in SEQ region. Like many other species of exotic vines, Dutchman's pipe competes with and replaces native plants via its smothering growth. It readily invades dry rainforests, lowland rainforests and riparian vegetation, replacing native vines and preventing the growth and regeneration of other native plants. More information: http://keyserver.lucidcentral.org/weeds/data/03030800-0b07-490a-8d040605030c0f01/media/Html/Aristolochia_elegans.htm If you should find this plant please contact your local Noxious Weeds Officer or weeds authority. For more information on weeds in Sydney visit the website of the Sydney Weeds Committees http://sydneyweeds.org.au