Common Name: Red Granadilla

General Information

Passiflora coccinea is a somewhat woody climbing plant producing stems 4 - 8 metres long from a perennial rootstock; these scramble over the ground or clamber into other plants for support, attaching themselves by means of tendrils[].
The edible fruits are gathered from the wild for local use[]. The plant is occasionally cultivated as a fruit plant in Guyana and Guadeloupe, where it is sold in local markets, whilst it is also often grown as ornamental in North America and Southern Europe, being valued for its showy flowers[, ].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

Northern S. America - Bolivia, Peru, Brazil, Guyana, Surinam, French Guiana, Venezuela.

Habitat

Forest edges and scrubland[].

Properties

Weed Potential	Yes
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Climber
Height	6.00 m
Growth Rate	Fast
Pollinators	Bees
Self-fertile	No
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

An easily grown plant, it generally succeeds in a moderately sunny position in a wide range of soils, so long as they are well-drained[, ]. They tend to flower and fruit more freely when grown in soils of only moderate fertility[].
The plant can sometimes become invasive in agricultural areas[].
A fast-growing plant[].

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw[, ]. A juicy, acid-flavoured pulp[], it is used to prepare drinks and desserts[, ]. A very pleasant fruit[]. Not widely appreciated[]. The greenish, spotted, ovoid to globose fruits can be up to 45 - 50mm long and 35 - 50mm wide[].

Flowers[].

Medicinal

The sap extracted from the crushed stems is used as an eyewash to soothe conjunctivitis[].

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 a callus of the plant grown in culture is used as an ingredient in commercial cosmetic preparations as an antioxidant, skin conditioner and skin protector[].

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[].
Layering. Very easy[].
Air layering.
Leaf bud cuttings.

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