About Aristolochia paecilantha Boiss.
Aristolochia paecilantha Boiss. is a perennial plant. It has striate stems that grow prostrate or ascending. Its leaves are petiolate, broadly cordate at the base, with a triangular limb. Flowers can grow up to 10 cm long; the peduncle bends at around two-thirds of its length. The ovary is striate and pubescent. The flower tube is recurved. The limb is very dilated, with two cordate, highly developed auricles. The outer part of the flower is greenish or reddish, and puberulent. The inner part is glabrous, with a bright yellow background marked with blackish purple spots.
This species grows in more or less rocky, rather shady habitats. It occurs in lower and middle mountain areas, including Mount Hermon. It is endemic to Syria, Lebanon and Palestine. The spots on the bright yellow background of this birthwort's large flowers are the origin of its specific name, which comes from the Greek words poikilos, meaning spotted, and anthos, meaning flower.
