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Aristolochia didyma

Aristolochia didyma
Photo: Fotógrafo: Gary Saucedo, CC BY-SA 4.0

Aristolochia didyma, also called yawar panga, is a climbing vine from wet tropical South America that is used in traditional rites as a strong purgative. It is grown mainly as a climber in warm, humid conditions and is not a common houseplant.

Family
Aristolochiaceae (Aristolochi family)
Grows as
Climber
Light
Bright indirect, Part shade
Water
Keep the soil evenly moist during the growing season and reduce watering in winter.
Soil
Rich, well-draining, humus-rich mix.
Temperature
18–30 °C; protect below 10 °C
How easy
Moderate
Safety
Toxic: Contains aristolochic acid, which can cause severe kidney damage and other serious harm if ingested; misidentification of Aristolochia species has caused poisonings.
Native range
Panama to S. Trop. America
Climate
wet tropical

About

Aristolochia didyma, or yawar panga is a plant found in South America (French Guiana, Brazil, Peru, Panama, Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador) of the genus Aristolochia. It is a powerful purgative, sometimes used in traditional rites to purify the body a few days before an Ayahuasca session.

Caution is required; injuries are linked to aristolochic acid contained in some species of this family, as in Belgium incorrect identification and misuse of Aristolochia species have resulted in severe consequences. Some cases of kidney failure were related after taking a slimming product in which Guang Fang Ji (Aristolochia) had been used instead of Han Fang Ji (Stephania).

Other Aristolochia plants

Indian birthwort · Aristolochia amara · Aristolochia argentina · Cairns Birdwing Butterfly Plant · Andalusian Dutchman's Pipe · Aristolochia boosii · Aristolochia bracteolata · Aristolochia cauliflora · Aristolochia ceropegioides · Aristolochia chalmersii · Aristolochia chilensis · Birthwort

Text excerpted from the Wikipedia article Aristolochia didyma by its contributors, under CC BY-SA 4.0; the excerpts and the care summary drawn from them are shared under the same licence.

The care summary was written by AI (Claude, Anthropic) from the sources on this page, with general growing knowledge where they are silent. Check before relying on it.

Life form, climate and native range: World Checklist of Vascular Plants, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (CC BY 3.0), reformatted; see Plants of the World Online.

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