Dutchman's Pipe (Aristolochia macrophylla)

Dutchman's pipe or pipevine is a deciduous, woody, climbing vine in the pipevine family (Aristolochiaceae). It is native to eastern North America, including North Carolina. It is typically found in the wild, in moist woods, or near streams. The genus name is a compound of two Greek words: aristos, meaning "best," and locheia, meaning "childbirth." This references the flower bud's resemblance to a human fetus. The species epithet is Latin for “large leaf.”

This native vine prefers rich, moist, and well-drained soil. It is intolerant of dry soil and needs protection from strong winds.  The plant prefers full sun to partial shade. It may be pruned in the late winter to control its growth. Seeds and cuttings are used to propagate this vine.

The leaves of pipevine are up to 12 inches long and heart-shaped, smooth (not hairy, as in Aristolochia tomentosa), deep green, and silver-colored underneath. The flowers are usually inconspicuous because they are hidden or lost in the vine's dense foliage. The small blossoms are yellow-greenish with brownish-purple lobes. The fruits are green capsules that turn gray to black when they mature.