Andalucia February 2007

[Anthony Darby]

Aristolochias are Birthworts or Dutchman's Pipe vines. They range from herbaceous species like A. clematitis and A. beatica to tropical vines that feed the Giant Birdwing butterflies of Australasia. A. beatica is probably the foodplant of the Spanish Festoon butterlfy (Zerynthia rumina), a relative of the Swallowtail (Papilio machaon).

[Diane Clement]

I meant to include this pic earlier. 
You've heard of the crocus, now see the view ...

View from our hotel of the rocks of El Torcal.  (La Posada el Torcal is a wonderful, privately run hotel, this view was actually taken from our own private hot tub on our terrace)

[Diane Clement]

The Aristolochia baetica (name comes from the Roman name for Andalucia) is actually growable.  A few years ago I visited the area later in the year and brought back seed which was distributed through the AGS seed exchange.  I know of at least 2 people who germinated it and brought into flower.  Its an interesting curiosity, probably needing almost frost free conditions.  I didn't even get germination.

[Maggi Young]

A view like that with blossom trees, and a hot tub? I've never heard the like.. how the other half lives, eh?!!