Region: southwest Europe, western Mediterranean, Portugal, Spain, southern France, Morocco, Algeria, Madeira, Balearics, Canary Islands
Habitat: sandy and stony pastures, meadows, rocky cliffs, scrub, woodlands clearings, cultivated fields, weed of crops, wood grassy mountains, Mediterranean forest; at elevations from 500 to 2500 metres; humid and sub-humid to sub-arid Mediterranean bioclimates; prefers moist humid to dry substrates, stony, clay and sandy soils, relatively poor, basic pH; full sun to mid-shade.
Content: aristolochic acid.
Culture: numerous low to medium impact threats including coastal development, tourism, overgrazing, trampling, over-collection, irregular fires, deforestation, leisure activities, infrastructure development, urbanisation.
Use: medicinal; ornamental.

BotanyHerb; perennial; low-growing.
Stem: creeping stems.
Flowers: purple-brown; foetid odour; saxophone shape; flowers in spring.
Pollination: by flies, attracted by the strong smell of the flowers.