Common Name: Giant Granadilla

General Information

Passiflora quadrangularis is an evergreen climbing shrub, attaching itself to other plants by means of coiling tendrils[]. 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[].
The edible fruits are greatly appreciated and are often gathered from the wild[]. 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[, , , ].

Known Hazards

The raw root is a potent narcotic and poisonous[, ]. The noxious effects of the poison can be counteracted by a decoction of Petiveria alliacea, Cassia sp,, Andropogon sp., and 'bois-trompette'[].

Botanical References

, ,

Range

Original range unknown, it is widespread in the Tropics.

Habitat

Flood plains in the rainforests[]. Cultivated, or wild in treefalls, secondary vegetation, or along the edges of lowland to premontane moist to wet forests[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Evergreen Climber
Height	10.00 m
Self-fertile	No
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Succeeds in the hot, wet, lowlands to moderate elevations in tropical to subtropical climates[, ]. Grows better at elevations between 200 - 500 metres[]. Plants require a temperature no lower than around 16°c when they are flowering in order to ensure fruit set[]. They can be damaged if temperatures fall much below 10°c[].
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[].
Seedling plants can commence fruiting when only 1 - 2 years old, whilst cuttings have been known to fruit in their first year of growth[].
Plants can flower and fruit all year round[].
A self-sterile species[].
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 - raw, cooked or used to make drinks[]. Sweetly acid[]. Very palatable[]. 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[]. 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[, , ]. The immature fruit is used as a vegetable - it can be steamed or boiled or added to soups[]. The thick rind of the fruit is cooked in various ways and used as a vegetable[]. The fruit is often used to made juices[].

The roots of old plants are baked or roasted and eaten like yams (Dioscorea spp)[, ]. Some caution is advised, since the raw root is narcotic and poisonous[].

Medicinal

The root is diuretic, emetic, narcotic and vermifuge[]. It contains passiflorine, an anthelmintic that also causes lethargy[].
When powdered and mixed with oil, the root is used externally as a soothing poultice[].

An infusion of the young leaves is used as an antiscorbutic[].
The leaves are powdered and mixed with oil then used externally as a soothing poultice[]. They are also used in this form to treat liver complaints[].

The fruit is antiscorbutic and stomachic[].

The rind of the fruit is sedative[]. It is used in the treatment of headaches, asthma, diarrhoea, dysentery, neurasthenia and insomnia[].

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[].
An extract of the fruit is used as an ingredient in commercial cosmetic preparations as a soothing agent and skin protector[].
An extract of the fruit hull is used as an ingredient in commercial cosmetic preparations as a skin conditioner[].
The pulped fruit is used as an ingredient in commercial cosmetic preparations as an astringent[].

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, but there is usually a high percentage[].
Layering. Very easy[].
Air layering.

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