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Aristolochia and Asarum are two genera in this family. Many members of Aristolochia and some of Asarumcontain the toxin aristolochic acid, which discourages herbivores and is carcinogenic in rats. Aristolochia itself is carcinogenic to humans.
Pipevine swallowtail butterflies lay their eggs on pipevine (Aristolochia species), and the larvae dine on the plant but are not affected by the toxin, which then offers the adult butterfly protection against predators.