Colique
Aristolochia linearifolia
Colique (Aristolochia linearifolia) is a distinctive climbing vine in the birthwort family, characterized by its narrow, linear leaves and peculiar pipe-shaped flowers that emit a carrion-like odor to attract fly pollinators. This specialized plant serves as a critical host species for certain swallowtail butterfly larvae and plays an important role in forest edge ecosystems where it creates microhabitats for small invertebrates.
Photo: iNaturalist: (c) Martin Reith, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Martin Reith
Taxonomy & Classification
Kingdom
Plantae
Phylum
Tracheophyta
Class
Magnoliopsida
Order
Piperales
Family
Aristolochiaceae
Genus
Aristolochia
Colique belongs to the family Aristolochiaceae, order Piperales, within the Magnoliopsida class.
Species Profile
Colique (Aristolochia linearifolia) is a distinctive climbing vine in the birthwort family, characterized by its narrow, linear leaves and peculiar pipe-shaped flowers that emit a carrion-like odor to attract fly pollinators. This specialized plant serves as a critical host species for certain swallowtail butterfly larvae and plays an important role in forest edge ecosystems where it creates microhabitats for small invertebrates.
Aristolochia linearifolia faces severe threats primarily from habitat destruction due to agricultural expansion and urban development in its limited range. The species' extremely restricted distribution makes it particularly vulnerable to localized threats, with small population sizes increasing extinction risk from stochastic events.
Key Facts
Habitat & Distribution
Colique thrives in partially shaded forest edges, stream banks, and woodland margins where it can climb on shrubs and small trees while maintaining access to filtered sunlight. The species shows a strong preference for well-drained soils with consistent moisture and is typically found at elevations between 200-800 meters in areas with mild, humid microclimates.
Threats
IUCN Red List: Critically Endangered
Aristolochia linearifolia faces severe threats primarily from habitat destruction due to agricultural expansion and urban development in its limited range. The species' extremely restricted distribution makes it particularly vulnerable to localized threats, with small population sizes increasing extinction risk from stochastic events.
Habitat loss from agricultural conversion
Limited geographic range
Small population size and genetic bottlenecks
Urban development and infrastructure expansion
Climate change impacts on suitable habitat
Community Sightings
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Sources & Attribution
How to Cite
IUCN: IUCN (2025). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2025-1. Available at: https://www.iucnredlist.org. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2025-1.RLTS
GBIF: GBIF.org (2025). GBIF Home Page. Available at: https://www.gbif.org
This page: SpeciesRadar (2025). Colique (Aristolochia linearifolia). SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/species/colique