Blue passionflower, Blue crown passionflower
Passiflora caerulea

Family: Passifloraceae

What it is like

A climber which can be 10 m long. It climbs by tendrils. The leaves are divided and finger like. They are dark green. Flowers can be white, pink or blue. They are 8-10 cm wide. The fruit is oval and yellowish orange. They are 4-7 cm long. The fruit are edible.

There are about 400 Passiflora species.

Where it is found

It is a subtropical climate plant. It grows naturally on the edges of secondary vegetation in eastern Brazil. They can grow in temperatures down to -9°C. Plants can re-grow from underground roots. It prefers plenty of water, moist soil and warm conditions. It grows to 34°S in Argentina. In Argentina it grows from sea level to 2,000 m above sea level. In XTBG Yunnan. It suits hardiness zones 7-10. In Sichuan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, America, Argentina, Asia, Australia, Bolivia, Brazil (country/location of origin), Chile, China, Colombia, East Africa, Egypt, Indochina, Korea, Madagascar, Mediterranean, Mexico, North Africa, North America, Pakistan, Paraguay, Peru, SE Asia, Slovenia, South Africa, Southern Africa, South America (country/location of origin), Uruguay, USA, Vietnam

How it is used for food

The ripe fruit are eaten fresh and used to flavour drinks. They are also used for marmalade. Unripe fruit are boiled and eaten. The flowers can be made into syrup. The tender stems and leaves are used as a potherb.

It is a cultivated food plant. It is sold in local markets.

Edible parts

Fruit, flowers, stem, leaves

How it is grown

Plants are mostly grown from seed. They can be grown from cuttings. Bottom heating the seeds at 20-26°C can result in germination at 1-2 weeks, at lower temperatures seeds can take up to 10 weeks to germinate. Plants should be topped back for better fruit production.

It is very fast growing.

Its other names

Local names

Guoi tay, Lao fan guo, Luo han biu, Maracuja-azul, Mburucuya, Modra pasijonka, Nhanlong lam, Nuo wang wai, Pasionaria, Pioqola, Wanthaj

Synonyms

Passiflora selloi Dehnh.; Passiflora caerulea var. regnellii Mast.; Passiflora caerulea var. glauca Mast.;