Pipevine (Aristolochia spp.) also known as birthwort or Dutchman’s pipe are climbing vines that can be found in a large variety of climates and habitats. The type that grows on my property happens to be (Aristolochia littoralis). It’s also sometimes called elegant pipevine or calico flower. It’s native to South America, but it commonly grows here in Florida. It is considered invasive since there are also several species of pipevine that are native. It is often sold as an ornamental that easily escapes gardens and becomes wild. I’m assuming that’s how the ones that grow on my property got here, since I have never purchased one. Fortunately, even though it isn’t native it is palatable and safe for pipevine swallowtail larvae (some species are toxic to the larvae). These vines have grown here for years and years, but they have never flowered here before. That’s why I was very pleasantly surprised when I found flowers on the vine that drapes one of my fences. The flowers are good sized and pretty exotic looking, so I’m pretty sure I would have noticed them had they flowered before. I’m interested to see what the final fruits will look like, but I think I will pick and dispose of them rather than letting them go to seed to try to avoid the spread of this invasive species. I’ve enjoyed the pipevine swallowtail butterflies and larvae that they have attracted, though, so I fully intend to let the vines continue to grow.