Passiflora tetrandra
Family: Passifloraceae
What it is like
Passiflora tetrandra is a CLIMBER growing to 9 m (29ft 6in). The species is dioecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but only one sex is to be found on any one plant so both male and female plants must be grown if seed is required). . The plant is not self-fertile. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.
Height (m): 9
Where it is found
Lowland forest, to the montane zone, in North and South Islands, south to 44°south.
New Zealand.
Conservation Status:
Countries/locations it is found in
How it is used
Food
Rating: 1
Fruit. An edible gum is obtained from the stem.
Gum: can be chewed as a chewing gum or can often be used as a sweetener or thickening agent in foods.
Medicine
Rating: 0
Other
Rating:
The plant can be used as a slow match. A fragrant body oil can be obtained from the seed.
Essential: Essential oils that are used in perfumery, medicines, paint solvents, insect repellents etc.
Gum: Gums have a wide range of uses, especially as stabilizers, emulsifiers, thickening agents, adhesives etc.
Lighting: Plants that can be used as torches etc. See also Oil and Wax.
How it is grown
We have very little information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy in Britain. However, judging by its native range, it is likely to succeed outdoors at least in the milder areas of the country. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus. Requires a well-drained soil with plenty of moisture in the growing season, otherwise it is not fussy. Dislikes highly alkaline soils. If plants are cut down to the ground by frost they can often regenerate from the base. It is best to apply a good mulch to the roots each winter in order to protect them from the cold. Roots of outdoor grown plants should be restricted to encourage fruiting. Plants produce tendrils and climb by attaching these to other plants. If fruit is required, especially when the plant is grown indoors, it is best to hand pollinate using pollen from a flower that has been open for 12 hours to pollinate a newly opened flower before midday. The flowers open in sunny weather and do not open on dull cloudy days. Plants are very tolerant of pruning and can be cut back to ground level if required to rejuvenate the plant. Any pruning is best carried out in the spring. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus.
Propagating it: Pre-soak the seed for 12 hours in warm water and then sow late winter or early spring in a warm greenhouse. If sown in January and grown on fast it can flower and fruit in its first year. The seed germinates in 1 - 12 months at 20°c. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle. It you are intending to grow the plants outdoors, it is probably best to keep them in the greenhouse for their first winter and plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Mulch the roots well in late autumn to protect them from the cold. Cuttings of young shoots, 15cm with a heel, in spring. Leaf bud cuttings in spring. Cuttings of fully mature wood in early summer. Takes 3 months. High percentage.
Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; South Wall. By. West Wall. By.
Habit: Climber
Hardiness:
Growth:
Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)
Shade: Semi-shade, no shade
Moisture: Moist