Syn.: Heterotropa magnifica (Tsiang) F. Maek.
Family: Aristolochiaceae Juss.
Distribution: Southern China – in the provinces of Guangdong and Hunan. Two varieties are recognized: the nominate variety (from Hunan) and A. m. var. dinghuense (Guangdong – without white blotches on leaf blades).
Ecology: Grows in moist shady areas, in forests, thickets, on mountain slopes, in elevations from 300 to 700 m. Flowers from April to May.
Description: Perennial herb with vertical rhizomes. Leaves petiolate, triangular-ovate to elliptic-ovate, 6–13 × 5–12 cm, base cordate, abaxial surface glabrous, adaxial surface pubescent along midvein, with or without white blotches. Peduncle recurved, calyx purplish green, 3–5 × 4–5 cm, tube cylindric, 1–5 × 0.8–1.5 cm, lobes triangular-ovate, 3 × 2.5–3 cm. Fruit is a capsule.
Note: This genus contains about 90 species, which are found mostly in southeastern Asia, some species in North America, and one species is European.
These images were taken in culture (May 7, 2009).
