Bitterroot Restoration

Order: Piperales
Family: Aristolochiaceae

Common name: Isharmul(Beng.); Indian birthwort(Eng.).
Edible Parts: Leaves, roots, rhizomes
Native Range: Aristolochia indica is a native of India and Eastward.

Aristolochia indica is a creeper plant found in Kerala in India and also Sri Lanka. This plant is critical to the survival of the Southern Birdwing and Common Birdwing. The Aristolochiales are a group of flowering plants that have attractive leaves and flowers, often with bizarre colors or patterns, and so they are cultivated in gardens. Some oddly shaped flowers have been given names like "bird's head" and "Dutchman's pipe". In this genus, the sepals are united into a long curving tube which completely surrounds the reproductive structures.

The plant has a number of historical medicinal uses. It is useful in purgative, anthelmintic, emmenogogue, eczema in children.