Region: east Asia, southwest China, Yunnan.
Habitat: mixed forests, mountain slopes, moist shady areas; at elevations from 2200 to 2600 metres; prefer a well-drained loamy soil, rich in organic matter, in sun or semi-shade.
Content: aristolochic acid.
Use: medicinal.
BotanyHerb; deciduous, climbing; perennial, growing from a tuberous rootstock.
Stems: ± woody; scramble over the ground, twining into the surrounding vegetation for support.
Flowers: malodorous flowers, smelling like decaying flesh; purple-brown.
Pollination: by small flies, attracted by the foetid odours.