Common Name: Nensi

General Information

Nensi is an evergreen climbing shrub. Its shoots scramble over the ground or clamber into other plants, attaching itself by means of coiling tendrils[].
The edible fruit is harvested from the wild for local use, whilst the plant is grown as an ornamental[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

S. America - eastern Brazil.

Habitat

Not known

Properties

Edibility Rating
Habit	Evergreen Climber
Height	0.00 m
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Very tolerant of a range of environmental conditions, so long as the temperature does not fall below 10°c[]. Plants require a temperature no lower than around 16°c when they are flowering in order to ensure fruit set[].
An easily grown plant, it requires a humus-rich, moist but well-drained soil and a position in dappled shade where it can grow up towards the sun[]. 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 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 - eaten raw or used to make drinks. The round fruits have a yellow pulp and a special flavour[]. They are much in demand in parts of Brazil for making pastries[]. The fruit is about 15mm in diameter[].

Medicinal

None known

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 - 24c[]. 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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