Calico FlowerCalico FlowerAristolochia littoralis syn. A. elegans Aristolochia littoralis syn. A. elegans

(Parodi) Aristolochiaceae(Parodi) Aristolochiaceae

BiologyBiology• Also known as calico vine Also known as calico vine

• Evergreen, climbing vineEvergreen, climbing vine

• Native to BrazilNative to Brazil

• Used in herbal preparations for ailmentsUsed in herbal preparations for ailments

• However, plants are highly toxic However, plants are highly toxic containing aristolochic acidcontaining aristolochic acid

BackgroundBackgroundEconomic UsesEconomic Uses

• Ornamental vineOrnamental vine

• Colorful and Colorful and unique pipe-unique pipe-shaped flowersshaped flowers

DistributionDistribution• Naturalized in areas of north and central Naturalized in areas of north and central

FloridaFlorida– Generally as a direct escape from cultivationGenerally as a direct escape from cultivation

• However, seed are winged and could However, seed are winged and could invade non-disturbed sitesinvade non-disturbed sites

ImpactsImpacts• Category II invasive species (FLEPPC)Category II invasive species (FLEPPC)

– Limited spread into undisturbed sitesLimited spread into undisturbed sites

• Weighs down native plants, smothers Weighs down native plants, smothers and causes collapse under the and causes collapse under the vegetative massvegetative mass

• Above and below ground biomass, Above and below ground biomass, perennial rootstocksperennial rootstocks

IdentificationIdentification

Mature PlantMature Plant• Climbing vine, Climbing vine,

evergreen/perennialevergreen/perennial• Grows 10 to15 feet in Grows 10 to15 feet in

lengthlength• Slender woody to Slender woody to

wiry stems that wiry stems that tightly coil around tightly coil around stationary objectsstationary objects

LeavesLeaves• Alternately arrangedAlternately arranged

• Broadly cordateBroadly cordate– 3 to 4 inches long3 to 4 inches long

– 2 to 4 inches wide2 to 4 inches wide

FlowersFlowers• Dark blackish Dark blackish

purple in colorpurple in color• Tubular shape, Tubular shape,

flared at mouthflared at mouth• Nearly 3 inchesNearly 3 inches• Odor similar to Odor similar to

rotting meat – rotting meat – attract pollinatorsattract pollinators

• Seed pod is a Seed pod is a dehiscent capsule dehiscent capsule with winged seedswith winged seeds

ManagementManagementPreventativePreventative

CulturalCultural

MechanicalMechanical

BiologicalBiological

ChemicalChemical

PreventativePreventative1.1. Limit planting as an ornamentalLimit planting as an ornamental

2.2. Remove existing plants, including Remove existing plants, including resprouts and before seeds are resprouts and before seeds are producedproduced

CulturalCultural1.1. Alternative landscape plants to Alternative landscape plants to

replace calico flowerreplace calico flower

2.2. Programs to educate homeowners Programs to educate homeowners about the problems associated with about the problems associated with this plant and proper identificationthis plant and proper identification

3.3. Maintain good ground cover and Maintain good ground cover and mixture of plant species to reduce mixture of plant species to reduce establishmentestablishment

BiologicalBiological1.1. There are no known biological control There are no known biological control

agents available for calico flower agents available for calico flower management in Florida or the management in Florida or the southeastern U.S.southeastern U.S.

MechanicalMechanical1.1. Hand pull young seedlings, including Hand pull young seedlings, including

all roots, repeated pulling for resproutsall roots, repeated pulling for resprouts

2.2. Cutting or mowing vines at ground Cutting or mowing vines at ground level is effective, but must repeatlevel is effective, but must repeat

ChemicalChemical1.1. Use a basal bark application of Use a basal bark application of

triclopyr at 100% solution at the base triclopyr at 100% solution at the base of the vine, close to the root as of the vine, close to the root as possible; possible; do not cut vinesdo not cut vines

2.2. Retreatment likely to control regrowth Retreatment likely to control regrowth and vines missed in initial applicationand vines missed in initial application

Useful LinksUseful Links• Floridata Homepage:

http://www.floridata.com/main_fr.cfm?state=Welcome&viewsrc=welcome.htm

• University of Florida Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants: http://aquat1.ifas.ufl.edu/welcome.html

• University of Florida’s Cooperative Extension Electronic Data Information Source: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/index.html

Useful LinksUseful Links• The Plant Conservation Alliance's Alien

Plant Working Group. Weeds Gone Wild: Alien Plant Invaders of Natural Areas: http://www.nps.gov/plants/alien/index.htm

• Pacific Island Ecosystems at Risk (PIER). Plant Threats to Pacific Ecosystems: http://www.hear.org/pier/threats.htm

• Invasive Plants of the Eastern United States: http://www.invasive.org

Literature CitedLiterature CitedLangeland, K.A. and K. Craddock Burks. Langeland, K.A. and K. Craddock Burks. 1998. Identification and Biology of Non-1998. Identification and Biology of Non-Native Plants in Florida's Natural Areas. Native Plants in Florida's Natural Areas. IFAS Publication SP 257. University of IFAS Publication SP 257. University of Florida, Gainesville. 165 ppFlorida, Gainesville. 165 pp