Common Name:

General Information

Passiflora auriculata is a climbing, herbaceous perennial plant producing stems usually 3 - 6 metres long, sometimes reaching up to 10 metres. The stems scramble over the ground, climbing into the surrounding vegetation for support, where they attach themselves by means of tendrils[, ].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

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Range

S. America - Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela; C. America - Panama, Costa Rica, Nicaragua; Caribbean - Trinidad

Habitat

Open, weedy vegetation in Pinus cultivations, climbing into shrubs in savannahs, secondary forest vegetation on white sands[]. Dense or open forests, riversides, savannah, upland or seasonally flooded rainforest, secondary forest[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Habit	Perennial Climber
Height	6.00 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Passiflora species generally grow best in a sheltered, sunny position or in dappled shade. Most species are found in the wild in moist but well-drained soils, generally of a lighter texture, and will often flower and fruit more heavily if the soil fertility is low. They often develop deep roots and can be moderately tolerant of dry spells. Most Passiflora species prefer a neutral to slightly alkaline soil, growing best where the pH is around 6. 5 - 7.5[, ].
This species has the unusual behavior of simultaneous ('big bang') flowering of many buds on one day on various branches of a plant[]

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw[]. The whitish pulp has a lemon-like flavour[].The fruit is a berry with a hard skin containing numerous small seeds each surrounded by a fleshy aril[].The purplish-black, globose fruit is 7 - 20mm long and 7 - 22mm in diameter[, ].

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[].
Layering. Very easy[].
Air layering.

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