Aristolochia peninsulensis (Mich.J.Parsons) Buchwalder & Wanke

Buchwalder, K. et al (2014) Australian Systematic Botany 27: 53.

A slender vine not exceeding a stem diameter of 2 cm.

Leaf blades about 9-21 x 2-9.5 cm, petioles usually curved, bent or coiled, about 1-3 cm long. Lower surface of the leaf blade clothed in appressed, pale-coloured hairs. Lateral veins raised on the upper surface of the leaf blade, about 5-7 on each side of the midrib. Leaves do not adhere to clothing.

Perianth tube sinuous, about 15-32 mm long, flaring like a trumpet to 14-17 mm diam. at the apex. Perianth tube inflated at the base around the stamens. Outer surface of the perianth white or cream, densely clothed in hairs. Inner surface spotted with pink or red, centre maroon. Stamens fused together to form a structure around the style. Anthers sessile. Ovary 6-locular. Ovules numerous in each locule.

Fruits about 3.5-5.5 x 2.5 cm, longitudinally 6-ribbed. Seeds numerous. Each seed about 6-8 x 6 mm, longitudinally grooved so that in cross section they are C-shaped. Embryo about 0.25-0.5 mm long, produced at the base (pointed end) of the seed. Radicle shorter and wider than the cotyledons.

One cataphyll normally produced before the first true leaves. First leaf blade rotund cordate, apex obtuse, base auriculate. Upper and lower leaf blade surfaces hairy. At the tenth leaf stage: stem twining, leaf blade narrowly oblong to narrowly lanceolate or elliptic-cordate, apex acute to acuminate and mucronate, base cordate. Glandular pits visible on the upper surface. Midrib and lateral veins clothed in pale hairs particularly on the lower surface. Taproot swollen. Other roots emit a fresh aromatic odour like that of wintergreen oil. Seed germination time 116 to 197 days.

Endemic to CYP. Known only from the Iron Range area. Altitudinal range from near sea level to 400 m. Grows in rain forest and monsoon forest.

Host plant for larvae of the Cape York Brdwing Butterfly (Troides priamus pronomus) and the Redbodied Swallowtail (Atrophaneura polydorus) queenslandicus). Ross & Halford (2007).

Pararistolochia peninsulensis Mich.J.Parsons, Bot. J. Linn. Soc. 120: 234 (1996). Type: Queensland, Iron Range, 20 Nov. 1985, B. Gray 4239. Holo: QRS. Aristolochia sp. (Iron Range rainforest), Climbing Plants of Australia : 155 (1988). Aristolochia sp. Iron Range (G. Sankowsky 382 et al.), Queensland Vascular Plants : 26 (1994). Aristolochia sp. (Lamond Hill G. Sankowsky + 382), Queensland Vascular Plants : 22 (1997).