California Dutchman's Pipe and the Pipevine Swallowtail

Story by Jessica Calvillo.

The California Dutchman's Pipe (Aristolochia californica) is a unique deciduous vine native to the oak woodlands and riparian areas of Northern and Central California. Its unusual pipe-shaped flowers, which bloom in January through April, are adapted to attract tiny pollinating flies.

More importantly, this vine is the exclusive larval host plant for the Pipevine Swallowtail butterfly (Battus philenor). Without this plant, the butterfly cannot complete its life cycle. By planting Dutchman's pipe in your garden, you create a sanctuary for this stunning velvet-blue butterfly while supporting the native food web.

The vine is deciduous and twines gracefully through trees and shrubs, making it an excellent choice for fences, arbors, or growing up through an existing native shrub.