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Useful Tropical Plants

Passiflora quadrangularis

L.

Passifloraceae

+ Synonyms

Passiflora grandiflora Salisb.

Passiflora macrocarpa Mast.

Passiflora sulcata Jacq.

Passiflora tetragona M.Roem.

Common Name: Giant Granadilla

Passiflora quadrangularis
Both the bland tasting pericarp and the arillus are eaten. The pericarp of the unripe fruit can also be prepared as a vegetable
Photograph by: Ton Rulkens
Creative Commons License
Passiflora quadrangularis Passiflora quadrangularis Passiflora quadrangularis Passiflora quadrangularis Passiflora quadrangularis

General Information

Passiflora quadrangularis is an evergreen climbing shrub, attaching itself to other plants by means of coiling tendrils[
262
Title
Passion Flowers
Publication
 
Author
Vanderplank. J.
Publisher
Cassell. London.
Year
1991
ISBN
0-304-34076-6
Description
An excellent book on passion flowers, giving information on hardy species and how to grow the less hardy in greenhouses etc. A bit lacking at times on specific information on hardyness. Excellent photographs.
]. A very vigorous species, it can normally produce stems up to 15 metres long, but plants in some areas, particularly Java, have been much more vigorous with some producing stems up to 45 metres long[
262
Title
Passion Flowers
Publication
 
Author
Vanderplank. J.
Publisher
Cassell. London.
Year
1991
ISBN
0-304-34076-6
Description
An excellent book on passion flowers, giving information on hardy species and how to grow the less hardy in greenhouses etc. A bit lacking at times on specific information on hardyness. Excellent photographs.
].
The edible fruits are greatly appreciated and are often gathered from the wild[
416
Title
Brazilian Fruits and Cultivated Exotics
Publication
 
Author
Lorenzi. H.; Bacher. L.; Lacerda. M.; Sartori. S.
Publisher
Instituto Plantarum De Estudos Da Flora LTDA; Brazil.
Year
2000
ISBN
85-867174-24-0
Description
A superb book, giving information on several hundred fruit species. Each entry has a brief description of the plant and its uses, accompanied by one to many excellent quality photographs of the fruits.
]. The plant is also widely cultivated in many areas of the tropics, especially S. America, both for its edible fruit and also as an ornamental plant[
200
Title
The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Publication
 
Author
Huxley. A.
Publisher
MacMillan Press
Year
1992
ISBN
0-333-47494-5
Description
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
,
262
Title
Passion Flowers
Publication
 
Author
Vanderplank. J.
Publisher
Cassell. London.
Year
1991
ISBN
0-304-34076-6
Description
An excellent book on passion flowers, giving information on hardy species and how to grow the less hardy in greenhouses etc. A bit lacking at times on specific information on hardyness. Excellent photographs.
,
301
Title
Cornucopia II
Publication
 
Author
Facciola. S.
Publisher
Kampong Publications, California.
Year
1998
ISBN
0-9628087-2-5
Description
The second edition of an excellent guide to the edible uses of plants, though it does not give any details of cultivation etc.
,
317
Title
Mansfeld's Database of Agricultural and Horticultural Plants
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://mansfeld.ipk-gatersleben.de/pls/htmldb_pgrc/f?p=185:3:4292127278597336
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
Terse details of a huge range of useful plants.
].

Known Hazards

The raw root is a potent narcotic and poisonous[
262
Title
Passion Flowers
Publication
 
Author
Vanderplank. J.
Publisher
Cassell. London.
Year
1991
ISBN
0-304-34076-6
Description
An excellent book on passion flowers, giving information on hardy species and how to grow the less hardy in greenhouses etc. A bit lacking at times on specific information on hardyness. Excellent photographs.
,
348
Title
Medicinal Plants of the Guianas
Publication
 
Author
DeFilipps, R. A.; Maina, S. L.; & Crepin, J.
Website
http://botany.si.edu/bdg/medicinal/index.html
Publisher
Smithsonian Museum
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
A down-loadable PDF document of a book in pre-publication awaiting illustration. An excellent, if rather terse, guide to the traditional medicinal uses of the plants of the region
]. The noxious effects of the poison can be counteracted by a decoction of Petiveria alliacea, Cassia sp,, Andropogon sp., and 'bois-trompette'[
348
Title
Medicinal Plants of the Guianas
Publication
 
Author
DeFilipps, R. A.; Maina, S. L.; & Crepin, J.
Website
http://botany.si.edu/bdg/medicinal/index.html
Publisher
Smithsonian Museum
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
A down-loadable PDF document of a book in pre-publication awaiting illustration. An excellent, if rather terse, guide to the traditional medicinal uses of the plants of the region
].

Botanical References

200
Title
The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Publication
 
Author
Huxley. A.
Publisher
MacMillan Press
Year
1992
ISBN
0-333-47494-5
Description
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
,
1673
Title
Passifloraceae
Publication
Flora Mesoamericana, Volume 3 (2), Passifloraceae, pp 1 - 135
Author
MacDougal J.M.
Publisher
 
Year
2011
ISBN
 
Description
 
,
1678
Title
Passifloraceae do Brasil. Estudo do gênero Passiflora L., subgênero Passiflora
Publication
Fontqueria 45 (1997)
Author
Cervi A.C.
Publisher
 
Year
1997
ISBN
0212-0623
Description
 

Range

Original range unknown, it is widespread in the Tropics.

Habitat

Flood plains in the rainforests[
416
Title
Brazilian Fruits and Cultivated Exotics
Publication
 
Author
Lorenzi. H.; Bacher. L.; Lacerda. M.; Sartori. S.
Publisher
Instituto Plantarum De Estudos Da Flora LTDA; Brazil.
Year
2000
ISBN
85-867174-24-0
Description
A superb book, giving information on several hundred fruit species. Each entry has a brief description of the plant and its uses, accompanied by one to many excellent quality photographs of the fruits.
]. Cultivated, or wild in treefalls, secondary vegetation, or along the edges of lowland to premontane moist to wet forests[
1673
Title
Passifloraceae
Publication
Flora Mesoamericana, Volume 3 (2), Passifloraceae, pp 1 - 135
Author
MacDougal J.M.
Publisher
 
Year
2011
ISBN
 
Description
 
].

Properties

Edibility Rating *  *  *  *
Medicinal Rating *  *
HabitEvergreen Climber
Height10.00 m
Self-fertileNo
Cultivation StatusCultivated, Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Succeeds in the hot, wet, lowlands to moderate elevations in tropical to subtropical climates[
262
Title
Passion Flowers
Publication
 
Author
Vanderplank. J.
Publisher
Cassell. London.
Year
1991
ISBN
0-304-34076-6
Description
An excellent book on passion flowers, giving information on hardy species and how to grow the less hardy in greenhouses etc. A bit lacking at times on specific information on hardyness. Excellent photographs.
,
335
Title
Perennial Edible Fruits of the Tropics : an Inventory
Publication
 
Author
Martin, F. W.; Campbell, C. W.; Rubertbe, R. M.
Publisher
U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service
Year
1987
ISBN
 
Description
A booklet giving terse details of almost 300 species of edible fruits, plus regional lists of Botanical and Common names for over 2,500 less well-known edible fruits of the tropics.
]. Grows better at elevations between 200 - 500 metres[
310
Title
Plant Resources of Southeast Asia
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://proseanet.org/
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
Lots of information on the uses of the plants of SE Asia.
]. Plants require a temperature no lower than around 16°c when they are flowering in order to ensure fruit set[
200
Title
The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Publication
 
Author
Huxley. A.
Publisher
MacMillan Press
Year
1992
ISBN
0-333-47494-5
Description
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
]. They can be damaged if temperatures fall much below 10°c[
262
Title
Passion Flowers
Publication
 
Author
Vanderplank. J.
Publisher
Cassell. London.
Year
1991
ISBN
0-304-34076-6
Description
An excellent book on passion flowers, giving information on hardy species and how to grow the less hardy in greenhouses etc. A bit lacking at times on specific information on hardyness. Excellent photographs.
].
Requires a humus-rich, moist but well-drained soil and a position in dappled shade where it can grow up towards the sun[
262
Title
Passion Flowers
Publication
 
Author
Vanderplank. J.
Publisher
Cassell. London.
Year
1991
ISBN
0-304-34076-6
Description
An excellent book on passion flowers, giving information on hardy species and how to grow the less hardy in greenhouses etc. A bit lacking at times on specific information on hardyness. Excellent photographs.
]. Prefers a circumneutral soil, disliking very acid or very alkaline conditions[
262
Title
Passion Flowers
Publication
 
Author
Vanderplank. J.
Publisher
Cassell. London.
Year
1991
ISBN
0-304-34076-6
Description
An excellent book on passion flowers, giving information on hardy species and how to grow the less hardy in greenhouses etc. A bit lacking at times on specific information on hardyness. Excellent photographs.
]. Passiflora species tend to flower and fruit more freely when grown in soils of only moderate fertility[
200
Title
The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Publication
 
Author
Huxley. A.
Publisher
MacMillan Press
Year
1992
ISBN
0-333-47494-5
Description
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
].
Seedling plants can commence fruiting when only 1 - 2 years old, whilst cuttings have been known to fruit in their first year of growth[
335
Title
Perennial Edible Fruits of the Tropics : an Inventory
Publication
 
Author
Martin, F. W.; Campbell, C. W.; Rubertbe, R. M.
Publisher
U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service
Year
1987
ISBN
 
Description
A booklet giving terse details of almost 300 species of edible fruits, plus regional lists of Botanical and Common names for over 2,500 less well-known edible fruits of the tropics.
].
Plants can flower and fruit all year round[
262
Title
Passion Flowers
Publication
 
Author
Vanderplank. J.
Publisher
Cassell. London.
Year
1991
ISBN
0-304-34076-6
Description
An excellent book on passion flowers, giving information on hardy species and how to grow the less hardy in greenhouses etc. A bit lacking at times on specific information on hardyness. Excellent photographs.
].
A self-sterile species[
200
Title
The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Publication
 
Author
Huxley. A.
Publisher
MacMillan Press
Year
1992
ISBN
0-333-47494-5
Description
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
].
Plants are very tolerant of pruning and can be cut back to ground level if required to rejuvenate the plant[
202
Title
Climbers and Wall Shrubs.
Publication
 
Author
Davis. B.
Publisher
Viking.
Year
1990
ISBN
0-670-82929-3
Description
Contains information on 2,000 species and cultivars, giving details of cultivation requirements. The text is terse but informative.
]. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[
200
Title
The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Publication
 
Author
Huxley. A.
Publisher
MacMillan Press
Year
1992
ISBN
0-333-47494-5
Description
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
].

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw, cooked or used to make drinks[
301
Title
Cornucopia II
Publication
 
Author
Facciola. S.
Publisher
Kampong Publications, California.
Year
1998
ISBN
0-9628087-2-5
Description
The second edition of an excellent guide to the edible uses of plants, though it does not give any details of cultivation etc.
]. Sweetly acid[
262
Title
Passion Flowers
Publication
 
Author
Vanderplank. J.
Publisher
Cassell. London.
Year
1991
ISBN
0-304-34076-6
Description
An excellent book on passion flowers, giving information on hardy species and how to grow the less hardy in greenhouses etc. A bit lacking at times on specific information on hardyness. Excellent photographs.
]. Very palatable[
46
Title
Dictionary of Economic Plants.
Publication
 
Author
Uphof. J. C. Th.
Publisher
Weinheim
Year
1959
ISBN
-
Description
An excellent and very comprehensive guide but it only gives very short descriptions of the uses without any details of how to utilize the plants. Not for the casual reader.
]. Whilst only the juicy pulp that surrounds the seeds is eaten in most species of Passiflora, this fruit is unique in that the flesh is also eaten[
310
Title
Plant Resources of Southeast Asia
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://proseanet.org/
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
Lots of information on the uses of the plants of SE Asia.
]. This is the largest fruit of the genus, it can weigh 1.5 - 3 kilos, is usually around 20 - 30cm long and 12 - 15cm wide, with a mild, melon-like flavour[
296
Title
Tropical Food Gardens
Publication
 
Author
Norrington. L.
Publisher
Bloomings Books (Melbourne)
Year
2001
ISBN
1-876473-41-x
Description
Excellent little book giving some basic information on a range of plants.
,
301
Title
Cornucopia II
Publication
 
Author
Facciola. S.
Publisher
Kampong Publications, California.
Year
1998
ISBN
0-9628087-2-5
Description
The second edition of an excellent guide to the edible uses of plants, though it does not give any details of cultivation etc.
,
1678
Title
Passifloraceae do Brasil. Estudo do gênero Passiflora L., subgênero Passiflora
Publication
Fontqueria 45 (1997)
Author
Cervi A.C.
Publisher
 
Year
1997
ISBN
0212-0623
Description
 
]. The immature fruit is used as a vegetable - it can be steamed or boiled or added to soups[
301
Title
Cornucopia II
Publication
 
Author
Facciola. S.
Publisher
Kampong Publications, California.
Year
1998
ISBN
0-9628087-2-5
Description
The second edition of an excellent guide to the edible uses of plants, though it does not give any details of cultivation etc.
]. The thick rind of the fruit is cooked in various ways and used as a vegetable[
262
Title
Passion Flowers
Publication
 
Author
Vanderplank. J.
Publisher
Cassell. London.
Year
1991
ISBN
0-304-34076-6
Description
An excellent book on passion flowers, giving information on hardy species and how to grow the less hardy in greenhouses etc. A bit lacking at times on specific information on hardyness. Excellent photographs.
]. The fruit is often used to made juices[
317
Title
Mansfeld's Database of Agricultural and Horticultural Plants
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://mansfeld.ipk-gatersleben.de/pls/htmldb_pgrc/f?p=185:3:4292127278597336
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
Terse details of a huge range of useful plants.
].

The roots of old plants are baked or roasted and eaten like yams (Dioscorea spp)[
262
Title
Passion Flowers
Publication
 
Author
Vanderplank. J.
Publisher
Cassell. London.
Year
1991
ISBN
0-304-34076-6
Description
An excellent book on passion flowers, giving information on hardy species and how to grow the less hardy in greenhouses etc. A bit lacking at times on specific information on hardyness. Excellent photographs.
,
301
Title
Cornucopia II
Publication
 
Author
Facciola. S.
Publisher
Kampong Publications, California.
Year
1998
ISBN
0-9628087-2-5
Description
The second edition of an excellent guide to the edible uses of plants, though it does not give any details of cultivation etc.
]. Some caution is advised, since the raw root is narcotic and poisonous[
262
Title
Passion Flowers
Publication
 
Author
Vanderplank. J.
Publisher
Cassell. London.
Year
1991
ISBN
0-304-34076-6
Description
An excellent book on passion flowers, giving information on hardy species and how to grow the less hardy in greenhouses etc. A bit lacking at times on specific information on hardyness. Excellent photographs.
].

Medicinal

The root is diuretic, emetic, narcotic and vermifuge[
262
Title
Passion Flowers
Publication
 
Author
Vanderplank. J.
Publisher
Cassell. London.
Year
1991
ISBN
0-304-34076-6
Description
An excellent book on passion flowers, giving information on hardy species and how to grow the less hardy in greenhouses etc. A bit lacking at times on specific information on hardyness. Excellent photographs.
]. It contains passiflorine, an anthelmintic that also causes lethargy[
262
Title
Passion Flowers
Publication
 
Author
Vanderplank. J.
Publisher
Cassell. London.
Year
1991
ISBN
0-304-34076-6
Description
An excellent book on passion flowers, giving information on hardy species and how to grow the less hardy in greenhouses etc. A bit lacking at times on specific information on hardyness. Excellent photographs.
].
When powdered and mixed with oil, the root is used externally as a soothing poultice[
262
Title
Passion Flowers
Publication
 
Author
Vanderplank. J.
Publisher
Cassell. London.
Year
1991
ISBN
0-304-34076-6
Description
An excellent book on passion flowers, giving information on hardy species and how to grow the less hardy in greenhouses etc. A bit lacking at times on specific information on hardyness. Excellent photographs.
].

An infusion of the young leaves is used as an antiscorbutic[
1678
Title
Passifloraceae do Brasil. Estudo do gênero Passiflora L., subgênero Passiflora
Publication
Fontqueria 45 (1997)
Author
Cervi A.C.
Publisher
 
Year
1997
ISBN
0212-0623
Description
 
].
The leaves are powdered and mixed with oil then used externally as a soothing poultice[
262
Title
Passion Flowers
Publication
 
Author
Vanderplank. J.
Publisher
Cassell. London.
Year
1991
ISBN
0-304-34076-6
Description
An excellent book on passion flowers, giving information on hardy species and how to grow the less hardy in greenhouses etc. A bit lacking at times on specific information on hardyness. Excellent photographs.
]. They are also used in this form to treat liver complaints[
262
Title
Passion Flowers
Publication
 
Author
Vanderplank. J.
Publisher
Cassell. London.
Year
1991
ISBN
0-304-34076-6
Description
An excellent book on passion flowers, giving information on hardy species and how to grow the less hardy in greenhouses etc. A bit lacking at times on specific information on hardyness. Excellent photographs.
].

The fruit is antiscorbutic and stomachic[
262
Title
Passion Flowers
Publication
 
Author
Vanderplank. J.
Publisher
Cassell. London.
Year
1991
ISBN
0-304-34076-6
Description
An excellent book on passion flowers, giving information on hardy species and how to grow the less hardy in greenhouses etc. A bit lacking at times on specific information on hardyness. Excellent photographs.
].

The rind of the fruit is sedative[
262
Title
Passion Flowers
Publication
 
Author
Vanderplank. J.
Publisher
Cassell. London.
Year
1991
ISBN
0-304-34076-6
Description
An excellent book on passion flowers, giving information on hardy species and how to grow the less hardy in greenhouses etc. A bit lacking at times on specific information on hardyness. Excellent photographs.
]. It is used in the treatment of headaches, asthma, diarrhoea, dysentery, neurasthenia and insomnia[
262
Title
Passion Flowers
Publication
 
Author
Vanderplank. J.
Publisher
Cassell. London.
Year
1991
ISBN
0-304-34076-6
Description
An excellent book on passion flowers, giving information on hardy species and how to grow the less hardy in greenhouses etc. A bit lacking at times on specific information on hardyness. Excellent photographs.
].

Other Uses

An extract of the flowers is used as an ingredient in commercial cosmetic preparations as a refreshing agent, soothing agent and skin protector[
1243
Title
CosIng
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://ec.europa.eu/growth/tools-databases/cosing/
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
CosIng is the European Commission database for information on cosmetic substances and ingredients.
].
An extract of the fruit is used as an ingredient in commercial cosmetic preparations as a soothing agent and skin protector[
1243
Title
CosIng
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://ec.europa.eu/growth/tools-databases/cosing/
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
CosIng is the European Commission database for information on cosmetic substances and ingredients.
].
An extract of the fruit hull is used as an ingredient in commercial cosmetic preparations as a skin conditioner[
1243
Title
CosIng
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://ec.europa.eu/growth/tools-databases/cosing/
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
CosIng is the European Commission database for information on cosmetic substances and ingredients.
].
The pulped fruit is used as an ingredient in commercial cosmetic preparations as an astringent[
1243
Title
CosIng
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://ec.europa.eu/growth/tools-databases/cosing/
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
CosIng is the European Commission database for information on cosmetic substances and ingredients.
].

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[
262
Title
Passion Flowers
Publication
 
Author
Vanderplank. J.
Publisher
Cassell. London.
Year
1991
ISBN
0-304-34076-6
Description
An excellent book on passion flowers, giving information on hardy species and how to grow the less hardy in greenhouses etc. A bit lacking at times on specific information on hardyness. Excellent photographs.
]. 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)[
262
Title
Passion Flowers
Publication
 
Author
Vanderplank. J.
Publisher
Cassell. London.
Year
1991
ISBN
0-304-34076-6
Description
An excellent book on passion flowers, giving information on hardy species and how to grow the less hardy in greenhouses etc. A bit lacking at times on specific information on hardyness. Excellent photographs.
]. Even so, it can take 12 months for stored seed to germinate[
262
Title
Passion Flowers
Publication
 
Author
Vanderplank. J.
Publisher
Cassell. London.
Year
1991
ISBN
0-304-34076-6
Description
An excellent book on passion flowers, giving information on hardy species and how to grow the less hardy in greenhouses etc. A bit lacking at times on specific information on hardyness. Excellent photographs.
]. Place the seed tray in a shady position, maintaining a temperature around 19 - 24°c[
262
Title
Passion Flowers
Publication
 
Author
Vanderplank. J.
Publisher
Cassell. London.
Year
1991
ISBN
0-304-34076-6
Description
An excellent book on passion flowers, giving information on hardy species and how to grow the less hardy in greenhouses etc. A bit lacking at times on specific information on hardyness. Excellent photographs.
]. Prick the seedlings out into individual containers as soon as they are large enough to handle and plant out when large enough[
262
Title
Passion Flowers
Publication
 
Author
Vanderplank. J.
Publisher
Cassell. London.
Year
1991
ISBN
0-304-34076-6
Description
An excellent book on passion flowers, giving information on hardy species and how to grow the less hardy in greenhouses etc. A bit lacking at times on specific information on hardyness. Excellent photographs.
].
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[
262
Title
Passion Flowers
Publication
 
Author
Vanderplank. J.
Publisher
Cassell. London.
Year
1991
ISBN
0-304-34076-6
Description
An excellent book on passion flowers, giving information on hardy species and how to grow the less hardy in greenhouses etc. A bit lacking at times on specific information on hardyness. Excellent photographs.
].
Cuttings of fully mature wood taken at a node. They can take 3 months, but there is usually a high percentage[
3
Title
Growing Unusual Fruit.
Publication
 
Author
Simmons. A. E.
Publisher
David & Charles; Newton Abbot.
Year
1972
ISBN
0-7153-5531-7
Description
A very readable book with information on about 100 species that can be grown in Britain (some in greenhouses) and details on how to grow and use them.
].
Layering. Very easy[
262
Title
Passion Flowers
Publication
 
Author
Vanderplank. J.
Publisher
Cassell. London.
Year
1991
ISBN
0-304-34076-6
Description
An excellent book on passion flowers, giving information on hardy species and how to grow the less hardy in greenhouses etc. A bit lacking at times on specific information on hardyness. Excellent photographs.
].
Air layering.
Cite as: Tropical Plants Database, Ken Fern. tropical.theferns.info. 2024-10-13. <tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Passiflora+quadrangularis>

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