Aristolochiaceae FAMILY Least Concern

Aristolochia paucinervis

Edibility

0/5

Medicinal

2/5

Safety & Hazards

Aristolochia paucinervis is highly toxic due to the presence of 'aristolochic acid' which is also carcinogenic; it is particularly dangerous for the kidneys. When the roots are used over a long period, they can cause irreversible kidney damage, haematuria (blood in the urine) and limb paralysis[ 338 Title IUCN Red List of Threatened Species Publication Author Website http://www.iucnredlist.org/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat. ].

Botanical Description

Aristolochia paucinervis is a low-growing herbaceous, perennial plant with creeping stems. The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine. It is sometimes grown as an ornamental in gardens. Aristolochia paucinervis is fairly common and widely distributed in the western Mediterranean region, the Iberian Peninsula and Macaronesia. It has numerous low to medium impact threats including coastal development, tourism, overgrazing, trampling, over-collection, irregular fires and deforestation; and is threatened more generally by the direct and indirect impact of human activities such as leisure activities, infrastructure development and urbanisation. Although a population decline appears to be ongoing at some sites, mainly in North Africa (Morocco and Algeria), the overall population trend appears to be stable.The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2013)[ 338 Title IUCN Red List of Threatened Species Publication Author Website http://www.iucnredlist.org/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat. ].

Habitat & Origin

Origintemperate

Native RangeSouthwest Europe and the western Mediterranean - Portugal, Spain, southern France, Morocco, Algeria, Madeira, Balearics, Canary Islands

HabitatSandy and stony pastures, meadows, rocky cliffs, scrub, woodlands clearings, cultivated fields, weed of crops, wood grassy mountains and Mediterranean forest; at elevations from 500 - 2,500 metres[ 338 Title IUCN Red List of Threatened Species Publication Author Website http://www.iucnredlist.org/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat. ].