Common Name:

General Information

Passiflora exsudans is a herbaceous climbing plant producing a cluster of stems usually 1 - 3 metres tall, occasionally to 6 metres, from a thick, woody rootstock. The stems scramble over the ground or clamber into other plants for support, attaching themselves by means of coiling tendrils[]
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food and a medicine.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Southern N. America - southern Mexico to northern Mexico (Oaxaca to Coahuila and Nuevo León)

Habitat

Cool-temperate mesophytic woods, at forest edges, in thickets, and ecotones, nearly always associated with oak and not uncommonly with oak and pine; almost always at elevations above 2,000 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Climber
Height	2.00 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Passiflora exsudans is a plant of moderate to high elevations in the subtropical and tropical zones of Mexico. It almost certainly experiences frost at least in parts of its range.

Edible Uses

Fruit[]. The red-orange arils surrounding the seeds are either insipid or have a rather acid taste[]. The widely ellipsoid to broadly obovoid, dark purple fruit is 30 - 60mm long and 25 - 35mm in diameter[].

Medicinal

The plant contains substances that are an effective treatment for insomnia[].

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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