Common Name:

General Information

Passiflora biflora is a perennial climbing plant with stems that are usually herbaceous but sometimes become more or less woody. The plant scrambles over the ground, attaching itself to the surrounding vegetation by means of tendrils[, ].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a drink and a medicine.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

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Range

S. America - Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela; C. America - Panama north to central Mexico; Caribbean - Bahamas

Habitat

Dense, mixed, wet to rather dry forest or thickets; mainly at elevations up to 1,000 metres, occasionally to 2,500 metres[]. Intact or disturbed tropical woodlands in loamy soil over limestone; at elevations near sea level in Florida[].

Properties

Weed Potential	Yes
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Climber
Height	0.00 m
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

The plant is grown as an ornamental and can escape from cultivation, It is listed as a weed in Florida.

Edible Uses

The blue-black, globose to ellipsoidal fruit is around 20 - 30mm long and 15 - 20mm in diameter[]. There are no reports regarding edibility, though the fruits of most, if not all Passiflora species are more or less edible when fully ripe[]. There are reports, however, for a few species, that the unripe fruit can be unwholesome.

A beverage is made from the plant[]. No more information is given, though it is likely to be referring to a drink made from the fruit juice, though it couls also refer to a tea, probably made from the leaves[].

Medicinal

The plant is used medicinally in Mesoamerica[].

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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