Anne Elliott's photos with the keyword: Birthwort

This enormous tropical flower was blooming in the butterfly room in the ENMAX Conservatory at the Calgary Zoo. It is Aristolochia, also known as Dutchman's Pipe, Calico Flower, Birthworts and Pipevines, a fast growing vine with large heart shaped leaves. It has a carrion smell – rotting meat - to attract insects. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aristolochia

I'm not sure which species of Aristolochia this is. Not sure if this is the Pelican flower - it does resemble that bird, with its long bill. This plant is growing in the Butterfly House at the Calgary Zoo. "Aristolochia, known as birthworts, is a large genus of plants with over 500 species, belonging to the Birthwort family (Aristolochiaceae). This is a genus of evergreen and deciduous woody vines and herbaceous perennials. They are widespread and occur in the most diverse climates, but not in Australia. Birthwort was highly-regarded by the ancient Egyptians, Greeks and Romans." From Wikipedia.