Common Name: Banana Passionfruit

General Information

Passiflora antioquiensis is a slender climbing shrub producing shoots up to 5 metres tall. These shoots scramble over the ground, or clamber into the surrounding vegetation, supporting themselves by means of coiling tendrils.
The edible fruit is harvested from the wild and the plant is also cultivated, both in its native region and also in southern India and New Zealand[]. A very ornamental plant with one of the loveliest flowers in the genus[], it is often grown as an ornamental, growing well in pots in cooler zones[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Western S. America - Colombia.

Habitat

Found at elevations from 2,000 - 3,000 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Habit	Climber
Height	5.00 m
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

A plant of higher elevations in the moister tropics[]. It can also be grown successfully at lower elevations in the tropics and subtropics[]. Tolerant of occasional slight frosts[].
Requires a humus-rich, moist but well-drained soil and a position in dappled shade[]. 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 require a temperature no lower than around 16°c when they are flowering in order to ensure fruit set[].
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[].

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw or used for making drinks[, ]. A sweet flavour[]. The best flavoured passion fruit in the genus according to some people[]. The yellow, ellipsoid fruits have an aromatic pulp[]. A vanilla-like flavour[]. The ellipsoid fruit is 4 - 5cm long[].

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

None known

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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