''Aristolochia praevenosa'', synonym ''Pararistolochia praevenosa'', is an Australian plant in the birthwort family, native to

Queensland ) , nickname = Sunshine State , image_map = Queensland in Australia.svg , map_caption = Location of Queensland in Australia , subdivision_type = Country , subdivision_name = Australia , established_title = Before federation , establishe ...

and

New South Wales ) , nickname = , image_map = New South Wales in Australia.svg , map_caption = Location of New South Wales in AustraliaCoordinates: , subdivision_type = Country , subdivision_name = Australia , established_title = Before federation , es ...

. The Richmond birdwing butterfly vine grows in subtropical rainforest in coastal areas north from Wollongbar, in far north eastern

and adjacent areas in south eastern

. 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 ''Ornithoptera euphorion'', the Cairns birdwing, is a species of birdwing butterfly endemic to Queensland, and is Australia's largest endemic butterfly species. Other common names include Cooktown birdwing and northern birdwing.Braby (2004) p. ...

butterfly.

Richmond birdwing butterfly

This vine is the main food species for the Richmond birdwing butterfly. 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 The Big Scrub was the largest area of subtropical lowland rainforest in eastern Australia. It was intensively cleared for agricultural use in the 19th century (1801–1900) by settlers. Less than 1% now remains. Located on the North Coast of New ...

. In recent times there have been programs by schools and government authorities, attempting to encourage new plantings of this vine. 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. Cairns birdwing - melbourne zoo

Richmond Birdwing Butterfly (Ornithoptera richmondius)

Germination

Flowers are pollinated by the ''

Forcipomyia ''Forcipomyia'' is a genus of biting midges in the subfamily Forcipomyiinae Ceratopogonidae is a family of flies commonly known as no-see-ums, or biting midges, generally in length. The family includes more than 5,000 species, distributed w ...

'' midge. Cuttings are poor to good in striking, and growth is slow. However, germination from fresh seeds is not difficult. 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'', it was placed in its current genus by Parsons in 1996.

References

{{Taxonbar, from1=Q38486229, from2=Q3363636 praevenosa Flora of New South Wales Flora of Queensland Taxa named by Ferdinand von Mueller