Grape-leaved passionfruit, Scarlet passion-flower
Passiflora vitifolia

Family: Passifloraceae

What it is like

A climbing plant which keeps growing from year to year. The stems have rust coloured hairs. The leaves are deeply 3 lobed. They are 13-18 cm long. There are teeth around the edge. The flowers occur singly. They are 12-16 cm across. The flower petals are bright red. They are pointed. The sepals have needle like bits at the tips. The fruit are mottled green and white and are round. They are 4-5 cm across.

There are about 400 Passiflora species.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows naturally along the edges of forest in the Amazon in Brazil. It needs moderate moisture and an average, well-drained soil. It needs full or part sun. In Costa Rica it grows from sea level to about 1,000 m altitude. It suits hardiness zones 10-12.

Countries/locations it is found in

Amazon, Andes, Australia, Brazil, Central America, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guiana, Hawaii, Nicaragua (country/location of origin), Pacific, Panama, Peru, South America, USA

How it is used for food

The fruit are eaten fresh as juice.

The fruit are not popular. It is cultivated.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed.

Its other names

Local names

Estococa, Etasere, Granadilla del monte, Granadilla silvestre, Guate, Gulupa, Inda pojo, Ofetata, Otsi-viccocho, Pisijoro, Pukucha granadilla, Tssotssoccuru, Wanpishkur

Synonyms

Passiflora punicea (DC.) Ruiz. & Pav. ex DC; Passiflora sanguinea Sm.; Passiflora servitensis H. Karst.; Tacsonia sanguinea (J.E. Smith) A.P. de Candolle;