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Useful Tropical Plants

Passiflora vitifolia

Kunth

Passifloraceae

+ Synonyms

Macrophora sanguinea (Sm.) Raf.

Passiflora punicea Ruiz & Pav. ex DC.

Passiflora sanguinea Sm.

Tacsonia buchanani Lem.

Tacsonia sanguinea (Sm.) DC.

Common Name: Grape-Leaved Passion Fruit

Passiflora vitifolia
Flower
Photograph by: cuatrok77
Creative Commons License
Passiflora vitifolia Passiflora vitifolia Passiflora vitifolia Passiflora vitifolia

General Information

Passiflora vitifolia is a vigorous climbing plant with a perennial rootstock. It produces annual to perennial stems 5 - 20 metres long, occasionally to 30 metres; these scramble over the ground or clamber into other plants, supporting themselves by means of tendrils[
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 edible fruit is sometimes gathered from the wild and consumed locally, though it is not widely appreciated[
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 sometimes cultivated for its fruit and is also often grown as an ornamental, where it is particularly valued for its red flowers and free-flowering habit[
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.
,
377
Title
Trade Winds Fruit
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.tradewindsfruit.com/index.htm
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
The on-line catalogue of a company selling seeds. Gives descriptions, photos and uses of a very wide range of fruit and other food-producing plants plus ornamentals.
].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

434
Title
Flora of Peru
Publication
 
Author
Macbride. J.F.
Publisher
Field Museum of Natural History
Year
1936
ISBN
 
Description
An excellent attempt at a Flora of Peru, though it is clear that many of the plants were imperfectly known at that time and so information on them was sketchy. Available for download from the Internet.
,
1673
Title
Passifloraceae
Publication
Flora Mesoamericana, Volume 3 (2), Passifloraceae, pp 1 - 135
Author
MacDougal J.M.
Publisher
 
Year
2011
ISBN
 
Description
 

Range

S. America - Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, Colombia, Venezuela to the Caribbean and C. America to Honduras.

Habitat

Lowland forest edges and shrubby areas[
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.
,
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.
].

Properties

Edibility Rating *  *
HabitPerennial Climber
Height15.00 m
PollinatorsBees, Butterflies
Self-fertileNo
Cultivation StatusCultivated, Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Passiflora vitifolia is a plant of the moist, lowland tropics[
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 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[
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.
].
Often grown as an ornamental, the cultivar 'Scarlet Flame' has fruit with the flavour of a strawberry[
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.
].
Although this common lowland or premontane species is often a canopy vine, the bright red flowers are usually borne within 1 - 2 metres of the ground[
1673
Title
Passifloraceae
Publication
Flora Mesoamericana, Volume 3 (2), Passifloraceae, pp 1 - 135
Author
MacDougal J.M.
Publisher
 
Year
2011
ISBN
 
Description
 
].

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw and made into juices[
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.
,
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.
,
1438
Title
Food Plants in the Americas: A Survey of the Domesticated, Cultivated, and Wild Plants Used for Human Food in North,
Publication
 
Author
Kermath B.M.; Bennett B.C.' Pulsipher L.M.
Publisher
 
Year
2014
ISBN
 
Description
A pre-publication draft of an amazing, on-going work first started in 1985. It contains information on more than 3,900 taxa from the Americas - from Arctic regions to the Tropics
]. A juicy pulp with an acidic flavour[
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 ovoid fruit is about 5cm in diameter[
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.
].

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[
1677
Title
Dicionário das Plantas Úteis do Basil e das Exóticas Cultivadas Vol. 5
Publication
 
Author
Corrêa M. Pio & Penna L. de Azeredo
Publisher
Ministério da Agricultura; Rio de Janeiro
Year
1978
ISBN
 
Description
A massive work in six volumes, first published in the 1920's and revised in the 1970's. Written in Portuguese.
]. 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[
K
Title
Plants for a Future
Author
Ken Fern
Description
Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.
].
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[
1677
Title
Dicionário das Plantas Úteis do Basil e das Exóticas Cultivadas Vol. 5
Publication
 
Author
Corrêa M. Pio & Penna L. de Azeredo
Publisher
Ministério da Agricultura; Rio de Janeiro
Year
1978
ISBN
 
Description
A massive work in six volumes, first published in the 1920's and revised in the 1970's. Written in Portuguese.
].

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[
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[
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. 2024-10-12. <tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Passiflora+vitifolia>

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