Aristolochia

(-lō´ki-a), a genus of plants, the type of the ord. Aristo loch i aceæ, which consists of dicotyledonous monochlamydeous plants, with an inferior 3-6-celled fruit, found for the most part in the hotter parts of the world, and in many cases used medicinally on account of their tonic and stimulating properties. The genus has emmenagogic qualities, especially the European species A. rotunda , A. longa , and A. Clematītis . A. bracteāta is used in India as an anthelminthic; A. odor at is sima , a West Indian species, is a valuable bitter and alexipharmic. A. serpent aria is the Virgin i an snake-root, popularly regarded as a remedy for snake bites.