The genus Aristolochia as   constitute a large group of species that are found in tropical and temperate regions of both hemispheres. Their whimsical shapes have resulted in a colorful array of common names for different species. The terminology of the term derives from two Greek roots: aristos, useful and locheia, birth, referring to its original use as a medical assistant in childbirth.

In the case of Aristolochia grandiflora, maintains a geographic range from Mexico to Panama and the Caribbean islands. In Costa Rica found in the Cordillera de Talamanca and the Carara National Park, at altitudes from 0 to 1,000 m. Some specific points are the Amistad Caribbean and Tortuguero Central Pacific.

A. grandiflora as many of its congeneric, is climbing and climbing, so occasionally grown in gardens look, especially decorating walls and gates, where the whimsical shape of its flowers is the point of confluence implies multiple looks that trying to unravel the inscrutable presence this rara avis.

The plants of this species are made up of vines and leaves glabrous, triangular, apex acuminate and cordate base well. Its large solitary flowers sprout from old wood and are distinguished by a corolla of intricate forms, as a large spider with brown center and irregular geometric edges of the same color and cream background. The limbus is a convoluted funnel helps to accentuate the shape of a bird that has this flower. Although some associate it with a carraquito, perhaps the nickname of turkey (turkey in other countries) is most appropriate.

A Aristolochia grandiflora and in general to other species of the genus are also called fly. This term is not entirely false, it is unfortunate what is classified as carnivorous flowers, because in fact what plants do is simply catch insects in their flowers, at times, to assist in pollination, not for food. However, occasionally, some of those flies die within the flowers.

It is interesting to add that trick insects Aristolochia smelling fictitious, and that when those have penetrated inside, do not let the animals go to after they are fertilized with pollen brought from other plants, or conversely, if they have already got theirs. Entry is easy, for entry into the tube is rigid rows of hairs disposed toward the inside, but the trick is to get out. But wonders of nature: when the anthers have shed pollen that sticks to the insect body, hair lose turgidity tube and this makes them go back out to the surrounding environment, where they will visit another flower that has the mature female body . So the flowers are pollinated, but self-pollination is avoided.

In general, the cultivation of A. grandiflora is easy, even in regions with a climate a bit different from its native environment. The specimen has let the photos in this article is grown on the trellis of a garden in broad daylight, in the canton of Curridabat, 1200 meters of altitude.

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