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(Isotrema californicum)
California Dutchman’s Pipe (Isotrema californicum)
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Ken-ichi Ueda
CC BY 4.0
Image By:
Ken-ichi Ueda
Recorded By:
Copyright:
CC BY 4.0
Copyright Notice:
Photo by: Ken-ichi Ueda | License Type: CC BY 4.0 | License URL: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ | Rights Holder: Ken-ichi Ueda | Publisher: iNaturalist | Date Created: 2020-02-23T16:59:58-08:00 |
Estimated Native Range
Summary
Isotrema californicum, commonly known as California Dutchman’s Pipe, is a deciduous perennial vine native to the chaparral, woodlands, and riparian areas of California, particularly in the Coast Ranges and the Sierra Nevada foothills. It typically grows to a height of 12-15 feet (4-5 meters) and a width of 3-6 feet (0.9-1.8 meters). The vine is known for its distinctive pipe-shaped flowers, which are greenish-yellow with purple veins and bloom from January to April. The flowers are not particularly showy but are intriguing due to their unique shape and are followed by winged seed capsules.
California Dutchman’s Pipe is valued for its ability to attract and sustain the Pipevine Swallowtail butterfly, which uses the plant as a larval host. It is used in gardens for its wildlife benefits and as an ornamental vine for trellises, arbors, and fences. This vine is relatively low-maintenance, tolerating a range of soil types, though it prefers well-drained soils. It can be grown in full sun to part shade and requires moderate watering. While generally disease-free, it can occasionally suffer from root rot in poorly drained soils.CC BY-SA 4.0
California Dutchman’s Pipe is valued for its ability to attract and sustain the Pipevine Swallowtail butterfly, which uses the plant as a larval host. It is used in gardens for its wildlife benefits and as an ornamental vine for trellises, arbors, and fences. This vine is relatively low-maintenance, tolerating a range of soil types, though it prefers well-drained soils. It can be grown in full sun to part shade and requires moderate watering. While generally disease-free, it can occasionally suffer from root rot in poorly drained soils.CC BY-SA 4.0
Plant Description
- Plant Type: Vine
- Height: 12-15 feet
- Width: 3-6 feet
- Growth Rate: Moderate
- Flower Color: N/A
- Flowering Season: Spring, Winter
- Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Growth Requirements
- Sun: Full Sun, Part Shade
- Water: Medium
- Drainage: Slow, Medium
Common Uses
Bird Garden, Butterfly Garden, Drought Tolerant, Hummingbird Garden, Low Maintenance, Potted Plant
Natural Habitat
Native to chaparral, woodlands, and riparian areas of California
Other Names
Common Names: California Pipevine, California Snakeroot
Scientific Names: , Aristolochia californica, Isotrema californicum,
GBIF Accepted Name: Isotrema californicum (Torr.) H.Huber