ABSTRACT
The family Aritolochiaceae consists of 9 genera and about 600 species of discrete rhizomatous herbs, shrubs, or climbers which are often poisonous and have somewhat a monocotyledonous look. The leaves are simple, alternate, and exstipulate. The flowers are solitary or cymose and terminal or axillary. The perianth is 3-lobed and often very characteristically pipe-shaped and sometimes very large. The androecium includes 6–12 stamens. The gynoecium includes 4–6 carpels fused into a stout style with 3–6 lobes. The capsules are often ridged, dehiscent, and contain minute flat-winged seeds.
