Pipevine and Pipevine Swallowtail

I took a little hike this morning. Since many of us like unusual plants I thought some might enjoy this. This is California Pipevine (Aristolochia californica). It looks like it would be carnivorous but it isn't. However, it does "detain" the flies and gnats until it is pollinated. The Pipevine is also the sole food source for the Pipevine Swallowtail butterfly's caterpillar. As the caterpillar eats the vine it accumulates toxins from the plant that make the butterfly unsavory to predators. The photo of the butterfly isn't very good but it is the best one I could get today.