''Aristolochia praevenosa'',

synonym A synonym is a word, morpheme, or phrase that means exactly or nearly the same as another word, morpheme, or phrase in a given language. For example, in the English language, the words ''begin'', ''start'', ''commence'', and ''initiate'' are all ...

''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 , established_ ...

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 Wollongbar is a town (2016 population: 2,828) in the Northern Rivers region of New South Wales, Australia. The town is located on the Bruxner Highway Bruxner Highway, and its former alignment as Bruxner Way, are a state highway and rural ...

, 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. 12 ...

butterfly.

Richmond birdwing butterfly

This vine is the main food species for the

Richmond birdwing ''Ornithoptera richmondia'', the Richmond birdwing, is a species of birdwing butterfly that is endemic to Australia. It is the second smallest of the birdwing species, the smallest being '' Ornithoptera meridionalis''. Distribution Historicall ...

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. 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

raceme A raceme ( or ) or racemoid is an unbranched, indeterminate type of inflorescence bearing flowers having short floral stalks along the shoots that bear the flowers. The oldest flowers grow close to the base and new flowers are produced as the s ...

s 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

axil A leaf ( : leaves) is any of the principal appendages of a vascular plant stem, usually borne laterally aboveground and specialized for photosynthesis. Leaves are collectively called foliage, as in "autumn foliage", while the leaves, st ...

s. 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. Species of the subgenus '' Lasiohelea'' suck vertebrate blood. Some species are ectoparasites on larger insects. Other species in the genus are important pollinators of t ...

'' 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 Baron Sir Ferdinand Jacob Heinrich von Mueller, (german: Müller; 30 June 1825 – 10 October 1896) was a German-Australian physician, geographer, and most notably, a botanist. He was appointed government botanist for the then colony of Vict ...

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