Aristolochia salvadorensis also known

High Resolution JPEG Picture of Aristolochia salvadorensis, also known as Darth Vader plant, since it looks like Darth Vader of Star Wars, is a woody climber native to El Salvador. It belongs to the Aristolochiaceae family of plants, which includes pipevines, birthworts and Dutchman’s pipe. The weird, corpse-like appearance of Darth Vader pipe vine flowers is due to adaptations that ensure its survival. The helmet-like shape and purple coloration of the blooms, combined with the powerful aroma of rotting flesh, tends to attract insect pollinators. Once enticed, insects fly through the Darth Vader plant’s luminous “eyes.” The inside of the blooms is lined with sticky hairs that imprison the insects long enough to cover them with pollen. They are then released to fly out and pollinate more blooms.