Swan Flower (Aristolochia erecta)
Close-up of flower and leaves.
The Swan Flower is one of many members of the Aristolochiaceae (Birthwort family)
that have their flowers pollinated by temporarily trapping insects. Many aristolochias
have rotten smelling flowers to attract flies. The insects fly into the flowers and
are trapped by downward facing hairs in the tube of the flower. They move about in
the "bottom" of the flower where the anthers are located and pick up pollen.
Soon, the flower wilts and the flies can escape to go pollinate another aristolochia
flower.
Above scan and text by Charles Crauford