Common Name: Maracuja Grande

General Information

Passiflora alata is an evergreen, climbing shrub with stout, four-angled stems around 3 - 15 metres long[, ]. These stems scramble over the ground, or clamber into the surrounding vegetation, supporting themselves by means of coiling tendrils.
The edible fruit is often gathered from the wild and is widely appreciated[]. The plant produces large, very fragrant flowers and is widely cultivated, both as an ornamental and for its edible fruit[, ].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

S. America - eastern Brazil, northeast Peru, Bolivia, Paraguay and Argentina.

Habitat

Littoral levees and rainforests[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Habit	Evergreen Climber
Height	6.00 m
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Succeeds in lowland tropical to subtropical areas. Plants require a temperature no lower than around 16°c when they are flowering in order to ensure fruit set[]. They can tolerate occasional low temperatures down to 2°c[].
Requires a humus-rich, moist but well-drained soil and a position in dappled shade[]. Grows well in a sunny position[]. Prefers a circumneutral soil, disliking very acid or very alkaline conditions[]. Passiflora species tend to flower and fruit more freely when grown in soils of only moderate fertility[].
Plants produce tendrils and climb by attaching these to other plants.
Plants are very tolerant of pruning and can be cut back to ground level if required to rejuvenate the plant[]. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[].
There is at least one named variety[].

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw[]. The large yellow fruit has an agreeable flavour[]. Insipid[]. A juicy pulp with a pleasant, sweet flavour[]. It is much appreciated for making drinks[]. The greenish-yellow to light yellow, obovoid, ellipsoid or pyriform fruit is around 8 - 11cm long and 5 - 8cm wide[, ].

Medicinal

The leaves and roots of some, if not all, members of this genus contain a substance called 'passiflorina' which has similaritiesr to morphine and is an effective tranquilizer[]. We have no specific information for this species but many species are used in herbal infusions to calm the nerves and help bring about a restful sleep[].
The leaves of many species are also considered to be anthelmintic, antihysteric and diaphoretic. They are used in Brazil to combat intermittent fevers, cutaneous inflammations, and erysipelas[].

Other Uses

An extract of the fruits is used as an ingredient in commercial cosmetic preparations as a hair conditioner[].
An extract of the leaves is used as an ingredient in commercial cosmetic preparations as a akin conditioner[].

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe along with the pulp which will help break down the seed coat and speed up germination[]. Stored seed should be soaked for 24 hours in warm water and germination time can be reduced if the seed is then mixed with the juice of a fresh passion fruit (of any species)[]. Even so, it can take 12 months for stored seed to germinate[]. Place the seed tray in a shady position, maintaining a temperature around 19 - 24°c[]. Prick the seedlings out into individual containers as soon as they are large enough to handle and plant out when large enough[].
Cuttings of young shoots, taken at the nodes. The cuttings root best in a neutral to slightly acid compost, but 100% sharp sand also produces good results[].
Cuttings of fully mature wood taken at a node. They can take 3 months, but there is usually a high percentage[].
Layering. Very easy[].
Air layering.

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