Virginia snakeroot is an herbaceous perennial in the pipevine family (Aristolochiaceae) (Birthwort) native to the eastern and central USA, where it grows in dry to moist forests. The genus name is a compound of two Greek words: aristos , meaning "best," and locheia , meaning "childbirth." This references the flower bud's resemblance to a human fetus. The specific epithet means “snake.” It prefers well-drained, moist, humus-rich loam, clay loam or sandy loam soils in partial shade to shade. Virginia snakeroot spreads by rhizomes. It can be propagated by seed or division of the rhizome. It may grow to 1 or 2 feet spreading along the ground. Unlike many of its pipevine kin, Virginia snakeroot is not a climber. There is variation in the size, shape, texture and indument of the leaves, and these morphs have been given names, but nowadays most botanists recognize only one, highly variable species. The flowers resemble those of wooly pipevine ( Aristolochia tomentosa ) and pipevine ( Aristolochia macrophyll a ) but are smaller in size. Larvae of p ipevine wwallowtail butterfly ( Battus philenor ) will feed on this plant and defoliate it, but more than one plant is needed for a caterpillar to complete its lifecycle. Use this plant as a ground cover in a shade or woodland garden. It also is a good addition to a shady pollinator garden, native plant garden or even a shady rock garden. Insect, Disease, and Other Plant Problems: No serious disease/insect problems.
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Clay; High Organic Matter; Loam (Silt); Sand
Soil pH
Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist | Occasionally Dry
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 1 ft. 6 in. - 2 ft. 0 in. | Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Slow
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
4 - Herbaceous (1-3 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Spreading
Foliage
Deciduous
Leaf color
Green
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf shape
Cordate; Ovate
Leaf margin
Entire; Lobed
Leaf feel
Papery; Rough; Smooth; Velvety
Leaf size
3-6 inches long, 1-3 inches wide
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Alternate leaves are 2 to 5" long and ½ to 2" across. They are narrowly cordate, ovate-sagittate, or narrowly hastate with a pair of rounded basal lobes. Margins are entire. There is variation in hairiness.
1/2- to -3/4-inch small hairy purple-brown flowers that bloom from May to June at the base of the plant on small scaly stalks. They are pitcher-shaped flowers found close to the ground, lying on the ground or under leaf litter.
Bloom time
Summer
Fruit color
Brown/Copper
Fruit type
Capsule
Fruit size
< 1 inch long, < 1 inch wide
Fruit detail
This plant produces a 1/2-inch six-valved capsule that contains many seeds. Displays from June to July.
Stem color
Green
Stem detail
Green zig-zag stems
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Native
Origin
Eastern USA
Distribution
AL, AR, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MD, MI, MO, MS, NC, NJ, NY, OH, OK, PA, SC, TN, TX, VA, WV
Wildlife value
Flowers are cross-pollinated primarily by flesh flies, fungus gnats, and possibly carrion beetles searching out nectar. The caterpillars of a butterfly, the Pipevine Swallowtail (Battus philenor), feed on the foliage of Virginia snakeroot, although more than one plant is required to complete their development. Because the foliage and roots are toxic and unpleasant-tasting, mammalian herbivores do not feed on this plant. Pipevine Swallowtail larvae appear in late spring and summer in the east. It most commonly appears in the south and southwest regions in late summer through fall. Adult Pipevine Swallowtail butterflies also feed solely on flower nectar from other plants like azaleas, thistles, verbena, lupines, and lilacs.
Attracts
Butterflies; Pollinators; Songbirds
Play value
Wildlife Food Source
Food & Medicine
Harvest time
Summer
Fruit type
Capsule
Uses (ethnobotany)
Used by Native Americans for snake bites. Used in herbal medicine.
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Woodland
Landscape theme
Butterfly Garden; Native Garden; Pollinator Garden; Rock Garden; Shade Garden